yw. 



m 



* LIBRARY OF COA'GRESS, ! 



THE 



SMALL PRUIT CULTUMST. 



BY 

ANDREW S.'^FULLER, 

PRACTICAL HORTICULTURIST, RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN CO., N. J. 



BKAXJTIFULiIiY IliLUSTRATED. 



18G7 .j 

'^y of V/ashi?^-'' 
^ NEW-YORK: 

ORANGE JUDD & COMPANY. 
41 PARK ROW. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by 

ORANGE JUDD & CO. 

At the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
Southern District of New-York. 



q,Y~ 



^^^ 



f<\^ 



LovEJOT & Son, 

Electp.otypees and Steeeottpkks. 

15 Yandewatcr Btreet N. T. 



PREFACE. 



With the extended cultivation of the small fruits in the 
past few years, there has arisen a demand for practical in- 
formation, not only from the professional cultivator, but the 
amateur ; and, in fact, every one who owns a rod of ground 
in city or country, wishes to know how to cultivate small 
fruits, and what kinds to plant, either for home use or 
market. Thus far no work, devoted exclusively to this 
branch of horticulture, has been presented to the public. 

The results of the experiments and observations of culti- 
vators in distant localities have not heretofore been gath- 
ered together, and what little information has been given 
is scattered through a thousand volumes, utterly inaccess- 
ible to the great masses of the people. To meet the Avants 
of this numerous and rapidly increasing class, this little 
work has been prepared. The facts herein given are, in 
part, the results of personal observation and experience, 
extending over a long period of years. All of the vari- 
eties recommended have been tested by myself, and it has 
been my aim to give whatever information I possessed re- 
lating to them, in language that might be understood by 
the novice in these matters, as well as the professional hor- 
ticulturist. I have not presumed to give rules or advice 
that may be implicitly relied upon in all sections of the 
country, because there are many things relating to the 
culture of fruits that can only be learned by personal, 



IV PBEFACE. 

local experience. Neither have I any apologies to make 
for sending forth this little work on its mission, for it has 
not been written to gratify any personal ambition, bnt to 
supply that which my extended correspondence for years 
])ast has shown to be an indispensable necessity. Tlious- 
ands of inquiries are addressed to me, orally and by letter, 
every year, for information relating to small fruit culture, 
until the tax upon my time has become so serious as to inter- 
fere with other duties. To meet these inquiries, and throw 
what little light I oould upon the subject, has been my 
only object, and whether success has crowned my efforts, 
or otherwise, the public will decide. 

To the many gentlemen who have so kindly and gratui- 
tously sent me specimens of jjlants of the new fruits in 
years past, I return my sincere thanks, hoping that they 
will not judge too harshly if I have not thought proper to 
praise certain varieties as highly as they may think they 
deserve. It is such a difficult task to decide which are 
really the best, where there are so many that are good, 
that I have preferred to err, if at all, in not overrating tlie 
merits of particular varieties, rather than to paint in glow- 
ing terms those which may have appeared to me as deserv- 
ing of such commendation. To Chas. Downing I am parti- 
cularly indebted, for plants of a great number of the small 
fruits, both old and new, many of which it is doubtful if I 
could have procured elsewhere, as some had become almost 
obsolete. 

Hoping that this little work will be as kindly received 
by the public as it is given by the author, and that it Avill 
assist in creating a desire for more extended knowledge 
upon the subject, until a more able pen shall be employed 
upon it, is the wish of 

Andrew S. Fulleb. 

Bidgewood, N. J"., April 35tb, 1867, 



C O NTENTS. 



INTEODnCTION 7 

CHAPTER I.-BARBERRT 20 

CHAPTER II.— STRAWBERRY 31 

CHAPTER III.— RASPBERRY 114 

CHAPTER W.— BLACKBERRY 168 

CHAPTER v.— DWARF CHERRY 1S3 

CHAPTER \T.— CURRjil^T 186 

CHAPTER Vn.— GOOSEBERRY 214 

CHAPTER \^^.— C0RNELIA2T CHERRY 223 

CHAPTER rS.— CRANBERRY 231 

CHAPTER X.— HUCKLEBERRY 240 

CHAPTER XL— SHEPERDIA 251 

CHAPTER XII.— PREPARATION FOR GATHERING FRUIT 265 



INTRODUCTION, 



It is only -within a comparatively recent period that the 
Small Fruits have been considered of sufficient importance 
to command the attention and call forth the energies of 
the skillful horticulturist. From all the information we 
can gather fi-om history, we infer that, "with the single ex- 
ception of the grape, very few of the small fruits common 
at present, were cultivated or known in ancient times. 

Those that are mentioned in ancient history are named 
only in connection with some wild legend of field or 
forest, rendering it apparent that their cultivation and im- 
provement were left for the people of a more progressive 
age. The earlier English and French authors have very 
little to say in regard to the berries, and so late as 1600 
there appear to have been no improved varieties of the 
currant or gooseberry, and botb were supposed to be only 
varieties of the same species. 

We have only to look back a very few years to ascer- 
tain all that has been done in cultivating and improving 
these fruits. In former times nature, without the assist- 
ance of man, supplied most of the small fruits in quanti- 
ties adequate to the demand, and of such a quality as to 
satisfy uncultivated tastes. But of late years the inci-ease 
of population has been so rapid that the supply from the 
woods and fields has not been equal to the requirements 
7 



8 SMALL FRUIT CULTUFvIST. 

of the marlcets, while at the same time a demand for some- 
thing better has arisen. Hence the necessity for assisting 
nature in her efforts to unfold the many useful fruits Avhich 
remain hidden until touched by the skillful hand of science. 

So soon as our horticulturists began to cultivate the 
small fruits, they became aware of their before unknown 
merits, and eagerly sought every means of developing 
them to the extent of their capabilities. These efforts 
have been immensely successful in producing new and bet- 
ter varieties, which, becoming known to the public, have 
so largely increased the demand that all attempts to fully 
supply the markets have been inadequate. 

The progress of fruit-culture in the United States is 
probably more appai'ent than in other countries, for we 
have only to go back to a period Avithin the memory of 
horticulturists still living to ascertain nearly every fact in 
regard to its history ; ask any of our older horticulturists 
concerning the markets of forty years ago, and they will 
tell us that there were no Hovey or Wilson Strawberries 
offered for sale in those days ; no Cherry or White Grape 
Currants ; no Dorchester or New Rochelle Blackberries ; 
but that they were wholly supplied with berries from the 
woods and uncultivated fields. 

During the last ten years we have made more progress 
in small fruit-culture than in thirty years before, and, not- 
Avithstanding this progress, we now find that we have 
scarcely begun to cultivate them intelligently. 

The cause of our advancement is, in a great measure, 
due to the dissemination of information upon the subject 
through the horticultural and agricultural press. It is by 
reading these that the masses have learned where to obtain 
the plants they desire and how to cultivate them. Thus, 
by having a medium through which both parties are ben- 
efited, trade is augmented and progress made more certain. 

Oi'iginators of new varieties are stimulated to greater 
exertions, knowing that, if successful, they will be amply 



INTEODUCTIOK. 9 

rewarded. It is true that there is a limit to progress in 
particular directions, but, when this point has been reach- 
ed, it is easy to retrace our steps and move in another 
channel. The facilities for pi-ocuring and distributing 
plants are, at the present time, far superior to those of any 
former period. Onr railroads have penetrated to far dis- 
tant portions of our country, thereby affording a rapid 
and safe transmission for many of the more delicate plants, 
wliich, a few years since, could not safely be transported 
by land to any considerable distance. Added to this, are 
the facilities which our Post-office Department offer for 
sending plants, cuttings and seeds, through the mail, 
charging at the rate of only half a cent per ounce, and 
allowing packages of four pounds weight to be carried, 
thei'eby affording the settlers in the newer portions of the 
country as well as those located away from the lines of 
railroads and other commercial thoroughfares an oppor- 
tunity of obtaining plants and seeds, at a small cost for 
transportation, which, under other circumstances, could 
not in any way be procured. These advantages, which the 
horticulturists of the present day possess over those of 
former years, stimulate them to exertion, and hundreds 
of acres are now devoted to the cultivation of the small 
fruits where there were not fifty ten years ago; still 
prices average higher than formerly, and the demand in- 
creases more rapidly than the supply. The great amount 
of fruit i;sed at present, far surpassing that of former 
times, cannot be attributed wholly to the increase in pop- 
ulation, as that has not been in proportion to the increased 
quantity of fruit consumed. 

The introduction and almost general use of fruit pre- 
serving cans have afforded the people an opportunity of ob- 
taining an uninterrupted supply of choice fruits, regardless 
of time or season. Thousands of bushels are annually pre- 
served for home use by families, both in country and city. 
One may step into any of our restaurants — even when the 
1* 



10 SMALL FRUIT CULTURI8T. 

snow covers the fields and with the thermometer at zero — 
and call for a dish of strawberries and cream, and he will 
be supplied as readily as in the month of June. The fruit 
may not be quite so good as when first gathered from the 
plant, but, considering the time of year, it is quite accept- 
able. Not only do private families, saloons and hotels 
consume enormous quantities of the small fruits which 
have been preserved in these hermetically sealed cans and 
jars, but every steamer or sailing vessel that leaves our 
ports takes with it a supply for use on the voyage, and 
it often forms a share of the freight. We are not only 
called upon to produce fruits to supjDly the home de- 
mand, but other portions of the world which cannot or 
do not produce them, and it can readily be seen that 
it must be many years before anything like an adequate 
quantity can be produced, even with the rapid strides 
we are making. The field for production may appear to 
be a very large one, still it is far less than that of con- 
sumption. It is not every location or soil that is adapted 
to the cultivation of the small fruits, neither will every 
variety succeed equally well on the same place. Conse- 
quently the favorable regions for particular kinds must 
furnish the people of other locations ; thus an exchange 
is made beneficial to both, and to the advantage of trade. 
The Southern States produce fruit for home consumption 
and for sale at the North, and vice versa. Diflferent sec- 
tions produce different fruits, but often both yield the 
same, and yet they become a market for each other. 

For instance. Strawberries ripen at the South several 
weeks before they do at the North — we purchase their pro- 
ductions so long as their supply lasts, or until our own be- 
gins to ripen ; we can then send fruit south where the crop 
has matured and gone. The same is true with many other 
fruits ; those from warm regions are shipped to the cool 
ones, and later in the season a return is made in kind or 
of some similar productions. 



INTRODUCTION. 11 

With a constantly increasing demand, and no apparent 
prospect of our markets being fully supplied, it is no won- 
der that many have turned their attention to the cultiva- 
tion of the small fruits. 

All along the lines of our railroads, canals, and naviga- 
ble rivers, new villages are springing up, each of which 
soop becomes a shipping jDoint for produce to the larger 
cities and villages. Many which did not exist eight or 
ten years ago, are now annually sending to market a half 
million to a million baskets of fruits. 

Ten years ago a nurseryman's catalogue, made up ex- 
clusively of the numerous descriptions of small fruits, was 
a rarity ; but at the present time they are quite abundant, 
showing that the propagation of the plants for sale, as 
well as the raising of the fruit, has become quite a promi- 
nent feature in horticulture. 

It is not to be expected that every one who attempts 
the cultivation of the small fruits will be successful, any 
more than that all will succeed in any other business, still 
it must be admitted, that the culture of the leading vari- 
eties of this class offers as wide and safe a field for enter- 
I^rise as is to be found in any other branch of business 
pertaining to the cultivation of the soil. 

Some will fail because they obtained varieties unsuited 
to their soil or location, for it must be remembered that 
there is no such thing as general cultivation, when ap- 
plied to the whole United States. Others will attempt 
more than they are capable of completing. And there 
are those who imagine that all that is required is, to obtain 
the plants and see that they are planted, after which they 
can sit down and wait for a bountiful harvest. Such peo- 
ple are always disappointed, and it matters not what they 
undertake, they are sure to be unfortunate, and every ex- 
periment will end in failure until tliey learn to labor as 
well as to wait. Profitable fruit-culture cannot result 
from idleness or negligence. Prompt, energetic action, ap- 



12 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

plied at the proper time, is far more essential with the 
small fruits tlian with the larger ones. An apple or pear 
tree will struggle long, and often successfully, against 
weeds, drouth, or an unsuitable soil, while a Rasj^berry or 
Strawberry plant would perish in a Aveek under similar 
circumstances. There is probably nothing appertaining 
to the cultivation of the soil which will, if properly con- 
ducted, yield more pleasiire or profit than the culture of 
our best varieties of small fruits. Still it must not be ex- 
pected that there are no difficulties in the way, for there 
will sometimes be early and late frosts; wet and dry sea- 
sons ; cold winters and hot summers, and insects that will 
destroy more rapidly than nature can restore ; therefore 
no one should attempt the culture of any kind of fruit, 
unless he has courage and perseverance sufficient to meet 
and overcome all the obstacles he may find in the road to 
success. To the inexperienced cultivator these difficulties 
may appear very formidable, yet they are no greater than 
in any other branch of business, and far less than in many. 
The small fruits, as a class, are less liable to be affected by 
disease or insects than a majority of the larger kinds, 
and as many of them, like the Raspberry and Blackberry, 
bloom late in the season and perfect their fruit early, they 
are seldom injured by the late spring frosts, which are 
often so very destructive to the Peach, Apple, and other 
early bloomers. 

To guard against great losses it is best not to risk one's 
entire capital in any one kind, for if that should fail, it 
would be ruinous. Neither is it advisable to cultivate too 
great a variety, for capital, needlessly scattered, is not 
readily gathered. The aim of the cultivator should be : 
1st — ^To provide against total failure. 2d — Cultivate no 
more of any one kind than he can pi'operly attend to, both 
in cultivating and in gathering the fruit, od — Provide 
for a succession of crops, so that there shall be an uninter- 
rupted income, in preference to a large and fluctuating 



IXTRODUCTIO]Sr. 13 

one. Fruit-baslcets, crates, etc., miist be provided, and 
the capital invested in these shoukl not be allowed to re- 
main idle any longer than is absolutely necessary. If sev- 
eral kinds are cultivated, commencing with tlie Strawber- 
ry, and followed by Raspberries, Gooseberries, Currants, 
and Blackberries, the fruit-baskets may be constantly em- 
ployed for at least three months, when if but one kind 
is grown their use will scarcely extend over as many 
weeks. Besides this, a better class of help can be secured 
for gathering the fruit where steady employment for three 
months can be given, than when for only a few days or 
weeks. 

The chief object of those "who cultivate fruit for mar- 
ket is that of profit, and to secure the largest return on 
capital invested requires a judicious selection of varieties. 
The best in quality are seldom the most profitable for 
general market purposes. Usually the highest flavored 
are the most delicate growers and quite unproductive. 
Individual tastes diflfer — one will choose a variety that an- 
other will reject. Taste, however, is changeable, and a 
fruit, which at one time may be quite distasteful, will, by 
a constant acquaintance, become very agreeable. Our 
markets are but an aggregation of individuals, conse- 
quently they often change, and a jjarticular variety of 
fruit, when first introduced, will find no purchasers, 
though it may aftervrards become exceedingly jDoj^ular. 

A particular color will often be the cau.se of rejection, 
and it will require a constant and persistent efibrt on the 
part of the producer to introduce the variety and per- 
suade the masses to purchase. A case in jDoint is that of 
the Brinckle's Orange Raspberry, a variety which is ac- 
knowledged, by connoisseurs in fruit, to be one of the very 
best in quality ; still, place it beside almost any ordinary 
red variety in any of the New York markets, and not ten 
baskets of it will be sold to one hundred of the latter. 

In other cities the results may be quite the reverse, 



14 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

which would only show that the masses must become ac- 
quainted with a variety before they will freely purchase, 
especially if it differs widely in appearance from those 
which are well known. The public taste in this country 
has not as yet been sufficiently cultivated to discriminate 
or select the very best, and it is doubtful if the masses 
appreciate or care whether a fruit is fully up to any par- 
ticular standard of quality that scientific horticulturists 
have endeavored to establish ; quantity is evidently more 
highly prized than quality, especially if the latter is at- 
tended by scarcity. 

I do not wish in these remarks to convey the idea that 
the very best should not always be sought for, but when 
their cultivation is not remunerative, quality alone be- 
comes of doubtful advantage to the producer. 

The more familiar a people become with any particular 
kind of fruit, the more they will appreciate it, and should 
anything occur to deprive them of a supply, they will feel 
the loss very keenly. Small fruit-culture has already be- 
come quite a prominent feature in American horticulture, 
and every possible means should be employed, not only to 
keep up the supply, but to increase it, so that it shall 
equal the demand. 

Heretofore its production has been mainly local ; that is, 
a particular neighborhood has made a specialty of grow- 
ing some one or more kinds that have been found to be 
adapted to the location and soil. 

Fruit-growers in other sections, having tried the same 
variety or varieties, as the case may be, and not finding 
their culture remunerative, have discarded them. Instead 
of doing this, they should have tried to produce new va- 
rieties that would succeed; or, endeavored to procure 
from among the many already known, some kind that was 
adapted to their particular soil and location. It is well 
known to every experienced horticulturist that certain 
species, and all the varieties produced therefrom, fail in 



INTRODUCTIOJSr. 15 

some locations and soils, while other species and their var 
rieties, although of the same genus, will succeed most ad- 
mirably. These peculiarities of species have given rise 
to much discussion among fruit-growers. One will assert, 
for instance, that the Rasi^herry is a total failure in his 
section, and that it cannot he grown, which may be true 
in regard to a particular kind or class, but no farther. 
There is probably no soil in our whole country, unless it 
be under water or totally barren, in which some one or 
more kinds of small fruits may not be profitably grown. 
The great desideratum is, to determine which they are, 
and the people are looking to experimenters to furnish the 
required information. 

This is being given through various mediums that are 
accessible to all, and the rapidly extending culture of this 
class of fruits shows very clearly that the knowledge 
gained is put to practical use. The dissemination of sim- 
ple facts, which are frequently conveyed in a single word 
or line, is often of more value than a learned and elabo- 
rate essay. 

We sometimes observe in nurserymen's catalogues, re- 
ferring to a particular variety, a simple remark like this : 
" succeeds admirably with me in a light sandy, clayey, or 
loamy soil," as the case may be, thereby giving a key to 
the secret of his success and the failure of others. 

There was a time in the history of horticulture when 
secrets were a merchantable commodity, and the particular 
methods of propagation and culture were transferred from 
one gardener to another for a consideration. But those 
days are past, for the true horticulturist of the present 
day keeps no secrets that will benefit mankind, but hast- 
ens to give to . the world the advantages which may arise 
from any discovery he makes, receiving in return that 
which is of more lasting value than money : the thanks 
of his co-laborers. It is true, that occasionally a man can 
be found so blind to his own interest and reputation, and 



16 SMALIi FEUIT CULTURIST. 

SO selfishly mean, as to desire to kee^D to himself any process 
hy which he thinks he can surpass his neighbors, and tax 
the public for his own benefit ; but such is the estimation 
in which these men are held by a large majority of horti- 
culturists, and so readily is their meanness discovered by 
their customers, that they are very soon obliged either to 
retire fx'om business and seek some other less honorable 
occupation, or eke out a miserable existence suj^ported 
by the pati'onage of a class no better than themselves. 

The laws of nature should be secrets to none, and he 
who would deny others the knowledge of any important 
discovery in horticultural processes, would, if he were 
able, liave the blessed sunshine and showers shut out from 
every field but his. It is to the constant interchange of 
facts, derived from experience, that we owe much of our 
progress in horticulture. To know the different varieties, 
so that one can name them at sight, does not constitute, 
as some may suppose, all tlie knowledge requisite to en- 
able one to cultivate them successfully. 

Their adaptation to the various soils, locations, and 
climate ; the best mode of cultivation, proj^agation, prun- 
ing ; whether the fruit is firm or fragile, rendering it more 
suitable for market or home iise — these and many other 
points must be understood before one can safely go into 
small fruit-culture on an extensive scale. There has been 
much discussion as to whether a constant cultivation of 
the soil was necessary to produce remunerative resiilts 
from growing the apple, peach, pear, and kindred fruits. 
There is, perhaps, some reason in particular cases for 
an apparent neglect, siich as excessive growth, which 
may be checked by non-cultivation more readily than oth- 
erwise. But with the fruits, of which we shall treat m 
the following pages, there are no exceptions to the rule — 
the better the care, the more remunerative the results. By 
bestowing the best of care, we will not only obtain better 
returns, but they will be in an increased ratio to the amount 



INTKODTJCTIOX. 17 

of labor bestowed. In many instances, with an annual 
expenditure of twenty-five dollars per acre, a return of 
only one hundred is obtained, while upon the same soil 
and with the same variety, if fifty dollars had been ex- 
pended, the return would have been three or four hundred. 
All experiments show that extra culture is far more prof- 
itable than what is generally termed good culture. I do 
not mean by this that it is necessary to trench the soil 
four feet deep, and apply a thousand loads of manure per 
acre to a soil which is naturally deep and nch ; but that 
deep plowing and subsoiling should be employed, with a 
liberal supply of enriching materials, if the best results 
are to be obtained. But few of those who are called 
good cultivators are aware of the large increase of fruit 
which may be produced on an acre by giving extra cul- 
ture, instead of the ordinary method. Many frnit-grow- 
ers, for the purpose of extending their business, increase 
the number of acres, when, if they would double the 
depth of that which they already possess, they would ob- 
tain the same increase in product without going to the 
expense of purchasing more land, besides incurring the 
extra trouble of cultivating two acres, when one might, 
Avith proper care, produce the same results. Deepening 
the soil is not wholly for the purpose of furnishing more 
plant food, nor to facilitate the downward gi'owth of 
roots, but it is principally for the purpose of disintegra- 
tion, and making it of such a consistency that it will be 
capable of retaining a sufficient amount of moisture at all 
times to nourish and supply the plants growing therein, 
but not enough to be detrimental. Rain water, as is 
well known, contains gases that are beneficial to plants, and 
if the soil is in a condition to allow it to pass through it, a 
large portion of these gases will be retained, but if the 
surface is hard, the water either runs off or remauis imtii 
it evaporates. 

Again, a soil that is loose and fiiable admits aii', and 



18 SMALL FRTJIT CULTURIST. 

with it moisture. To prove this fact, we have only to 
take a piece of glass or polished steel, or any similar sub- 
stance, and place it in an ice-house where it will become 
cold ; then carry it into the open air, and in a moment it 
will be covered with water condensed from the atmos- 
phere. Now, we know that this moisture did not exude 
from the glass, therefore it must have come from the air. 
By stirring the soil, and placing that which has become heat- 
ed underneath to warm the roots, and bringing the cooler 
portions to the top to condense the moisture, two objects 
are obtained : besides loosening the earth that it may be 
the more easily penetrated by the rootlets, it at the 
same time admits the air charged with moisture for their 
nourishment. The benefit derived from frequent stirring 
of the surface soil in dry weather, especially if it be of a 
compact nature, is mainly derived from the admission of 
air containing moisture. Many cultivators appear to 
think that all that is required of them is, to keep the 
weeds from growing among their plants, and they never 
stir the soil except for this purpose ; but our best culti- 
vators have learned that frequent moving of the soil is 
very beneficial to all crops, especially in time of drouth. 
If any one doubts that soil can be made moist by frequent 
stirring, let them select a piece of ground under some 
open shed where no rain has reached for a year or more, 
break wp the soil and pulverize it finely ; then stir it and 
turn it over every morning for a week or two, and it will 
become quite moist, while a similar soil in the open field, 
which has not been stirred, will be pai'ched and dry. 
Mulching the surface with straw, leaves, or similar materi- 
als, is often very beneficial, especially to plants whose 
roots do not penetrate deeply. The mulch not only as- 
sists in preventing evaporation, but insures condensation 
of moisture from the air, Avhich passes freely through it to 
the soil. 

It is not my purpose to enter into any elaborate discus- 



INTEODUOTION. 19 

sions of particular theories relative to growth, structure, 
food of plants, or any of the various points in vegetable 
physiology which are considered debatable questions. 
But as I shall have occasion in the following pages to ad- 
vise deep and thoroughly jDulverized soil, I have stated 
the foregoing simjile facts, so that the reader may under- 
stand why they are recommended. 



CHAPTER I. 



BARBERS Y.—Beebeeis. 

NATUTUX FAJVitLT Berbenclacce. 

[Name derived from Berberys, the Ai-abic name of the fruit. The French name 
is Spine vinette ; German, Berbentze ; Dutch, Berberisse ; Italian, Berbero ; Span- 
ish, Berberis-I 

General Chakacters. — Shrubs of medium size, with 
yellow imier bark and wood. Flowers iii drooping ra- 
cemes, leaves, and fruit acid. A section of this genus is 
often called Mahoaia ; the species belonging to it, have 
evergreen leaves, and are chiefly cultivated for ornament. 

SPECIES. 

Bcrbei'is vulgaris. — Common Barberry. — Native of 
Britain, but has become naturalized in the New England 
States. Stems witli sharp spines. Leaves obovate-oblong, 
bristly toothed. Berries oblong, scarlet. 

Bcrberis €anadensis. — American Barberry. — Very 
similar to the last ; the racemes not quite so long. Berries 
oval. Considered by some botanists as only a variety of B. 
vulgaris. Found wild on the Alleghanies and southward. 

Bcrbcris dlllcis. — Magellan Sweet Barberry. — Also 
called B. buxifolia and B. rotundifolia. Native of the 
Straits of Magellan. It is an evergi-een in its native coun- 
try and in England, but with us it usually drops its leaves 
in the latter part of winter. It blooms early, and ripens its 
fruit in July. Berries round, black, and, moderately sweet. 

Berberis aristata. — Nepaul Barberry.— B. Asiatica and 
B. Chitra of some atithors. Native of Nepaul and other 
portions of India, where it is an evergreen. Fruit purple, 
covered with bloom. Highly prized in its native country. 

There are probably other distinct species Avhich produce 
20 



BAHBEERT. 21 

edible fruit, but it is so very difficult to determine them at 
the present time, and as botanists are not fully agreed upon 
this point, I shall content myself with classifying them as 
merely varieties of the foregoing species. 

HISTORY. 

There is very little in the history of the Barberry that is 
of any particular interest to the people of the present day. 
Some writers suppose that Pliny had reference to this plant 
where he says, in his 24th Book, Chap. 13, " There is a 
kind of thorny bush called Appendix, for that there be red 
berries hanging thereto which be likewise named Apen- 
dices." Whether it was really the Barberry, or some simi- 
lar shrub, which he referred to we have no means of 
knowing. 

Gerarde, an English author who wrote in 1597, says 
that the young leaves of the Barberry bush were used as 
a salad m liis time, 

PROPAGATION. 

Bt Seeds. — Gather the berries when fully ripe, and put 
into boxes until the pulp has become soft, then wash out 
the seeds, and either sow them or put away in sand until 
wanted. 

It is best to sow them in the fall, for, if delayed until 
spring, and the seeds become dry, a portion of them, at 
least, will not grow. In sections of the country where the 
weather is likely to be very hot and dry in summer, a half- 
shady place should be selected for the seed-bed, as there is 
sometimes danger of the young plants being burned off 
when they first appear above ground. Sow the seeds m 
drills, and cover them about one inch deep ; keep the weeds 
down, and stir the soil often. 

Transplant when one or two years old, and at the time 
of removal shorten the tap-root about one-third. 

Early spring is the best time to transplant the Barberry 
m the Northern States. 



23 SMALL FKUrr CULTURIST. 

By Suckers. — The Barberry throws up a great quantity 
of suckers, chiefly frcin the main stem. Roots are produced 
on the base of these suckers. Consequently they may be 
separated from the old plant whenever it is desirable to in- 
crease the number of plants. 

By Cuttings. — Cuttmgs of the ripe wood do not grow as 
readily as with some other plants ; still, with a little care, 
they may be made to succeed. Select one or two year old 
wood in the fall, and before it has been severely frozen, and 
cut it into lengths of six or eight inches, cutting the lower 
end square across and just below a bud. Make them with 
a sharp knife, so that the wood shall not be crushed, but 
cut smoothly. After the cuttings are made, bury them in 
a dry place in the open ground, and cover so deeply that 
the frost will not reach them. They should not be tied in 
bundles, as is sometimes recommended for cuttings, but be 
placed in alternate layers of soil and cuttings. In the 
spring they should be taken out and planted, placmg them 
about three inches apart in the rows, covering all but one 
or two inches of the upper end. Pack the soil firmly 
around them, and either hoe often or cover the entire sur- 
face of the soil with mulch. As the same general system 
is followed for all ripe wood cuttings which are grown in 
the open ground, I will here state the method which I 
practice not only with the Barberry, but with the Currant, 
Gooseberry, and all similar plants, that I shall have oc- 
casion to mention in future chapters. When the cuttings 
are prepared, select a dry place, and dig a trench one spade 
deep, m shape like a letter V ; place a layer of cuttings on 
one side, then throw enough soil from the other side to 
cover them about an mch deep. Then place another layer 
of cuttings against this soil, keeping the trench in the same 
shape as it was when begun, cover the next layer in the 
same manner, and so on until the cuttings are all in ; then 
bank over with earth and smooth the surface so that the 
water will readily run off. 




EAEBEKET. 23 

111 the spring, prepare a bed for the cuttings "by digging 
or plowing deeply, and enriching with well rotted manure. 
Harrow or rake the surface level and smooth ; then draw 
a line across the bed, and dig a trench by placing the back 
of the spade against the line, pressing it down perpendicu- 
larly ; then throw out the soil to one side, making a trench 
of the shape shown in figure 1. Place the cuttings agauist 

the perpendicular side of the 
%^" trench, two to four inches 
apart, and the upper end an 
inch or two above the surface 
of the soil. Draw in a little 
soil, and press it down firmly 
with the foot, or with an in- 
Fig. 1.— CUTTING TRENCH. strimient made from a piece of 
two inch plank, as shown in figure 2. After the earth has 
been packed firmly about the base of the cutting, the 
trench may be filled up level with the surrounding soil. 
With many kinds of plants the packing of the 
soil around the lower end of the cuttings is a 
very essential point, and often the whole secret 
of success. This is particularly so with those 
kinds that produce roots mainly from the lower 
end, where the wood is exposed to the soU. Tlie 
distance between the rows will depend entirely 
upon the manner in which they are to be culti- 
vated. If a cultivator is to be used, then they 
should be two and a half or three feet apart; 
but where they are to be cultivated with the 
hoe one and a half to two feet will be suflicient. 
In some soils and locations the plants raised 
from cuttings may be left iu the ground where ^^' 
they are grown until the following sj)rLng, and then trans- 
planted ; but the safest plan is to take them up in the fall, be- 
cause in some soils they will be thrown out by the frost, un- 
less they have a larger quantity of roots than is usual. 




2-1 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 

By Gkeex Wood Cuttings. — ^TMs mode of propagating 
the Barberry can only be practiced to advantage by tliose 
who have propagating houses. The plants should be taken 
up in the tall and potted, giving each plant sufficient soil 
and room to insure a healthy growth. They may be placed 
directly in the house or in Irames or cellar until wanted. 
When they are first potted the soil should be watered so 
that it will settle about the roots and fill all interstices 
between them. 

When the plants have been placed in the house, and 
have made a growth of two or three inches, the cuttings 
may be taken ofi" by severing the new-growing wood close 
to the main stem ; place the cuttings in pots filled with pure 
sand, fifteen to twenty in a six inch pot, after which give 
water to settle the sand about the cuttings ; then cover 
with a bell glass, or place in frames within the house, as 
usual with other green wood cuttings. 

Eveiy experienced propagator will understand and know 
how to treat the cuttings when they become rooted, and 
those who are novices in these matters would do well to 
practice a while upon plants less difficult to propagate, be- 
fore trying the Barberry. 

By Budding and Grafting. — The rare varieties are 
sometimes worked upon the more common kinds, usually by 
budding. The operation is performed just as soon as the 
buds are fully developed on the young growth of the sea- 
son, and in the same manner as upon the apple and similar 
trees. Grafting is also performed in the usual manner, but 
the cion should be inserted in the stock below the surface, 
so that all but the upper bud will be covered by the soil. 

By Layers. — The usual manner of making layers of other 
woody plants is applicable to the Barberry, but they will 
seldom become well rooted the first season. Still they may 
bo severed from the parent plant in the autumn or early 
spring ; the ujjper portions of the stems are cut ofi" and 
then they are treated the same as cuttings. 



BAEEEKRY. 25 

The layers may he made in early spring, of the previous 
season's growth, or later, when new wood is formed of suf- 
ficient length for the purpose. Layers put down in the 
autumn will become well rooted by the end of the next 
season, 

CULTURE. 

The Barberry, when left to itself, forms a dense shrub, 
with many stems, but when cultivated for its fruit a jDortion 
of the shoots should be annually removed to allow the sun 
and air to more readily reach all parts of the plant, and 
assist in developing the fruit buds. 

It may also be trained to a single stem, and when treated 
in this manner, some of the varieties will form shrubs ten 
to fifteen feet in hight. The fruit will also be larger and 
more abundant than when the plant is allowed to grow in 
the natural manner and without pruning. 

Each plant should be given plenty of room and not 
crowded, especially when fruit is the object of cultivation. 
Six to eight feet apart will be sufficient in ordinary soil. 

As before remarked, the Barberry will grow in dry and 
almost barren soil ; still, as no plant will produce the l)est 
results in such situations, it is best to give a good, deep 
and moderately rich soil even to plants that will grow in a 
poor one, 

VARIETIES AND USES. 

Berbci'is Tlll.^aris. — This species and some of its varie- 
ties are probably better known in this country than any 
others. The most common is the original species, which is 
found growing wild in many places in the New England 
States, It is also quite common in gardens. The fruit is 
oblong, about half an inch in length and one-eighth across, 
of a bright scarlet color, very acid, but of agreeable flavor. 
Figure 3 shows a small branch, with fruit and flowers of 
natural size, and figure 4 gives a magnified single flower. 
There is a peculiarity about the stamens worthy of notice, 
2 



26 



SMAXL FEUIT CULTUEIST. 



as they are endowed with a remarkable irritability. When 
the flower opens, the stamens all lay back agamst the 




Fig. 8. — B.\JIBERRY FLOWER AND FRUIT. 



petals, but when touched by an insect they spring up 
against the pistil, Avhere 
they discharge their pollen. | 
This motion may be pro- 
duced by touchmg the sta- 
mens near the base with 
a pin or other point. The 
Fig. 4. stamens discharge their pollen in a rather 

unusual manner. In most stamens the anther, or pollen- 





Fig. 5. 



BAEBEEKY. 37 

bearing portion, ojDens Iby slits, but in the Barberry a pair 
of little doors, or traps, lift up to allow tlie pollen to fall 
out. Figure 5 shows two enlarged stamens — one closed 
and the other oj^eu. 

The fruit and flowers are not produced at the same time 
upon the plant, but as a matter of convenience they are 
both shown on the same branch in the engraving. The 
fruit is much used for preserves, pickles, jams, &c. 

The thorny character of the plant, with its upright, com- 
pact growth, makes it a very desirable hedge plant. 

The inner bark of the stem and roots is used in some 
countries for making a yellow dye. It is also used in Po- 
land and other portions of the East for tanning purposes. 

The best known varieties of this species are as foUoAVS : 

B. Tulg'aris alba. — White fruited. — Not very productive, 
and not so vigorous a grower as the original. 

B. vul^^aris asperma. — A variety which produces fruit 
without seeds. It is not, however, constant, and plants 
propagated from it will often produce fruit with seeds. 
This variety has been known and cultivated in England 
for more than two hundred years, according to Parkinson, 
Gerarde and other old authors. 

B. vulgaris dlllcis. — Sweet fruited. — Very similar to the 
species. The fruit is a little larger and not quite so acid, 
and leaves bright green and shining. 

Tliis variety should not be confounded with the before 
mentioned species, JBerberis dulcis, as the latter has black 
fruit of the size of a large currant, which is solitary, while 
that of the former is produced m racemes. 

B. vulgaris purpurea. — Purple leaved. — Leaves dark 
purple. On this account it is very ornamental. 

B. Tulj^aris glauca. — Leaves pale green and glaucous; 
not shining. 

B. vulgaris longifolia. — Leaves longer than in the spe- 
cies : otherwise the same. 



28 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

B, VHl,^ariS lateai — Yellow fruited. — A variety witli 
small yellow fruit ; not very productive. 

B. vulgaris mitis. — Tborus small and not as rigid as in 
other varieties. 

B. Titlgaris nig^ra. — Black fruited. — Tournefoit found 
this variety on the banks of the Euphrates, about one hun- 
dred and fifty years ago. He says that the fruit is of a 
sweet and delicious flavor. I am not aware of its being 
cultivated in America, 

B. Ylllg^aris purpurea. — Purple fruited. — ^Fruit dark red 
or 2)urple. Leaves narrow, with few prickles. 

B. vulg'aris Violacea. — Violet fruited. — Fruit violet 
colored. 

Tliere are probably many other varieties of this species, 
as the seedlings usually vary considerably, especially when 
the seeds are taken from kinds that are quite distinct from 
the original species. 

Seedlings grown from the purple-leaved variety will 
show a great diversity of foliage. Some will liave purple 
leaves like the jjarent, while others will be margined with 
purple or red, or be wholly green. 

Berberis Slbirica. — Siberian Barberry. — Native of Si- 
beria, where it is found growing among rocks on hill sides 
and mountains. The plant seldom grows more than two 
feet high. Fruit oval, red, solitary, peduncle shorter 
than the leaves. 

The following, Avhich may be distinct species, or only 
varieties, possess no particular merit as regards their fruit, 
but may interest the botanist or those who wish to make 
their collections as complete as possible : 

B, Iberica. — Iberian Barberry. — Berries deep purple. 

B, Sinensis. — Chinese Barberry.— Berries dull red. 

B, Cretica. — Cretan Barberry. — Berries oval, black, 
very astringentj 



BAKBEKKY. 



29 



The Barberry is susceptible of great improvement, and 
might, if a proper amount of care were bestowed upon it, 
become a fruit of much importance ; whereas, at the pres- 
ent time, it is seldom admitted to the fruit garden, being 
mainly planted for ornamental purposes. 

DISEASES AND INSECTS. 

The Barberry is seldom injured to any consideral)le ex- 
tent by disease or insects. The leaves are sometimes in- 
jured by a species of fungus called ^cidium Berheridls. 
It usually makes its appearance on the upper end of the 
leaves (fig. 6), then becomes scattered over 
the surface, and extends to the fruit. To 
the eye it appears like fine reddish dust. 
When these rust-like spots are examined 
with a lens, they appear as in figure 7, 
and when more highly magnified the 
whole is found to consist of 
cup-like cells, as in figure 8. 
These cups are at first covered 
with a thin, light colored film, 
which, when the fungus be- '^ '=• '^• 
comes mature, bursts and leaves the edges of the cup with 
the uneven margin shown in figure 8. When this covering- 
bursts, the cups discharge their spores or reproductive 
dust, which is scattered over the leaves and fruit. 

This fungus or mildew has 
been supposed to cause the blight 
in wheat, and it is an old belief 
that the Barberry would cause 
the grain near which it grew to 
blast. This belief has generally 
been treated as a superstition by scientific men, but recent 
researches show that it may have a foundation in fact. 
Many of these miniite fungi have in difierent generations 
very unlike forms. Thus, the spores of A will produce 





Fig. 6. 




risr. a 



30 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST, 

B. SO unlike A; that it has been taken for a different 
fungus, and B. will agam reproduce A. There is a strong 
probability that the rust of the Barberry and the smut in 
wheat are both forms of the same fungus. 

The injury which it causes to the Barberry is very slight, 
but it may become so prevalent as to be worthy of particu- 
lar attention. Ashes or slacked lime scattered over the 
leaves in the morning, when the dew is on them, would 
probably destroy it or check its progress. Another blight 
Avhich affects the leaves later in the season, known as 3Ii- 
cro9phceria Berhendls, is shown highly magnified in figure 
9. It appears in very minute spots, with fine, rib-like ap- 
pendages radiating from the 
center, like the spokes of a 
wheel, the ends of each be- 
ing divided into several 
small branches, as in figure 
10. This species of blight 
attacks the leaves so late in 
Fig, 9. Fig. 10. the season that it causes but 

little if any injury. The illustrations of these and the other 
minute fungi given in siibsequent pages, are taken from a 
work called " Rust, Smut and Mildew," by M. C. Cook, 
London. This charming little work is beautifully illus- 
trated, and as it describes many fungi common to both 
this country and England, we call the attention of our 
readers to it, as the most available source of information 
concerning these humble, but, to the fruit grower, import- 
ant forms of vegetation. 

I am not aware of any insect that is injurious to the 
Barberry. The peculiar (and rather agreeable than other- 
wise) fragrance of the flowers attracts numerous insects to 
the plant wdien in bloom, and their presence is probably 
for the purpose of gathering food, while they aid at the same 
time iu fertilizing the floAVcrs by irritating the stamens. 




CHAPTER II. 

THE STRAWBEEEY.-FRAGAnL'i. 

NATURAL FAMILY Rosacecc. 

[Name derived from fragran.9, perfumed in reference to tlie fragrance of the 
fruit. French, Frasier ; German, Erdheerpflanze ; Dutch, Aadbezie ; Italian, 
Pianta di fragola ; Spanish, Freza. The name of Strawberry is said by Pryor 
to be derived from the Anglo Saxon " Streoberie,'''' either from its straw-like 
haulms, or from their laying strown upon the ground. Other authors give difl'er- 
ent derivations.] 

GENERAL CHARACTERS. 

Calyx flax; or reflexed, deeply five-cleft, with the same 
number of bractlets, thus appearing to be ten-cleft. Petals 
five, white, erect, spreading. Stamens many, usually about 
twenty. Pistils numerous, adheiing at the base to the 
small seed-like fruits, these are situated on the fleshy re- 
ceptacle, which enlarges and becomes what is generally 
called the fruit or berry. Increased by seeds, rimners and 
divisions of th e roots. Stemless perennials, with or without 
runners. Leaves radical, divided into three leaflets, obovate 
wedge-form, coarsely serrate, evergreen. Root fibrous, 
rather woody, perennial. 

SPECIES 

Fragaria VCSca. — Edible Strawbeny, Alpine Straw- 
berry, Wood Strawberry, &c. — Seeds superficial, on the 
conical or hemispherical fruiting receptacle (not sunk in a 
cavity). Flower stalks longer than the leaves, erect, hairy, 
hairs closely pressed vipward. Fruit drooping, usually con- 
ical, sometimes globular. Leaves thin, pale green ; upper 
surface uneven, slightly wavy. Native of Europe and 
America. 



32 SMALL FKUIT CTJLTUEIST. 

Fra^aria COllina. — Green Strawberry. — This is consid- 
ered by some botanists as a species, but the only really 
distinct character is in its fruit, which is greenish-brown 
when ripe. 

Fragaria elatior. — Hautbois Strawberry. — Calyx re- 
flexed. Seeds supei'ficial. Flower stalks longer than the 
leaves, erect. Fruit round or oblate, usually drooping, but 
sometimes erect, possessing a sti'ong musky flavor. Hairs 
on both leaf and flower-stalks long, and widely spreading, 
somewhat reflexed. Leaves larger than in F. vesca, and 
more or less pubescent, covered with short hairs on both 
upper and lower surface, giving them a rough ap^iearance. 
Native of Germany. 

Fra^^aria Indica. — Lidia Strawberry. — A species with 
yellow flowers. Fruit not edible. Native of India. 

Frag:aria Virginiana. — Virginian Strawberry. — Seeds 
imbedded in the deeply pitted receptacle. Fruit roundish, 
ovoid to conical, highly perfumed. Flower stalks shorter 
than the leaves, hairy ; hairs spreading, more or less erect. 
Leaves obovate, wedge form, variable, coarsely serrate, 
usually dark green ; upper surface smooth, often shining. 
Native of North America. Chiefly in the United States 
and southern portions of Canada. 

Frag"aria grandifiora. — Large flowering Strawberry. — 
Calyx erect, slightly spreading. Seeds set in a shallow de- 
pression. Flowers larger than in other species. Fruit 
sweet, perfumed. Flesh firm. Flower stalks shorter than 
the leaves. Leaves smooth, usually deep green. Serra- 
tures broadly ovate. Native of Sovith America. 

niSTORT. 

It is of little consequence to the horticulturist of the 
present day whether any pai'ticular kind of fruit fl\miliar 
to us was known in ancient times. Still, we often find oxir- 
selves sendino; a thouoht back into the dim and uncertain 



STEAWEERRY. 66 

past, picking up here and there a stray word or line that 
informs us that some of the fruits now cultivated by us 
were also known to those of former ages. 

The number of such old time fruits is quite limited, and 
most of them are of quality so inferior that we would 
hardly be willing to exchange those of our time for the 
productions of any period. 

The Strawberry was probably not cultivated in olden 
times, as it is scarcely mentioned by the Roman writers on 
agriculture. Some Avho are most explicit in other matters 
pertaming to fruit-culture do not mention it, while Pliny, 
Ovid and Virgil only casually refer to it, and this reference 
is not for the purpose of aiding its culture. 

From a few Imes in one of those old works, we infer that 
the children in ancient times had similar tastes to those of 
the present, and that they found no day so hot, or hill so 
steep, as to deter them from seeking the little gems in the 
tall grass, or through bramble and wood. We, who were 
so fortunate as to spend our youthful days in the country, 
can appreciate the following lines of Virgil, as translated 
by Warton, as they touch a heart-string whose vibrations 
send memory back to joyful days in the past : 

" Ye boys that gather flowers and strawberries, 
Lo, hid withiu the grass a serpent lies." 

We learn from the ancient writers nothing in relation to 
Strawberry culture that is of any practical value. We are, 
therefore, compelled to turn to those of modern times for 
any reliable information. 

There are facts connected with the history of the Straw- 
berry that it is important for us to know. 

For instance, from what country, climate or situation 
were certain species derived ? If a species came originally 
from a very warm country, it is doubtful if it will ever be 
so well adapted to a cold latitude as one obtained from a 
climate similar to the one in which it is to be cultivated. 

By hybridizing, we may so intermingle species that it 
2* 



34 SMALL FKUIT CULTUKIST. 

will be difficult to tell from what particular source they 
originated. Yet, if there be any feeble or tender element 
in their composition, it will be constantly showing itself, 
and a continual source of annoyance to the cultivator. It 
is for this reason that it is always desirable to know as 
much of the history and origin of a fruit as possible, 
especially if it is to be selected as the parent from wliich 
new varieties are to be produced. 

There are instances where a species has succeeded better 
in a foreign country than at home ; but such cases are only 
exceptional, and where the climates are similar, or the spe- 
cies naturally had a very wide range in latitude. 

The Strawberry is probably more widely distributed than 
any other plant we cultivate. 

The FragaHa vesca, or Alpine Strawberry, grows in the 
mountains of Greece and northward to Britain, where, in 
the latter country, it assumes a different form, and is there 
called the Wood Strawberry. 

The prmcipal difference between the two is in the 
form of the fruit, the Alpine being conical, while the 
Wood varieties are round. The Alpine Strawberry is also 
a native of North America, being found in high woods and 
fields in most of the Northern States, and far to the North 
in the Canadas. There appear to be several natural varie- 
ties of this species in Europe, which have been known for 
several centuries. In 1483, the garden of the Bishop of' 
Ely, at Holborn, in England, was celebrated for its excel- 
lent Strawberries. They were probably the common Wood 
Strawberries of the country — one with red fruit, the other 
white. The Alpines were introduced into England some 
two hundred years later. There are two original varieties 
the same in color as the Wood Strawberries. There are 
also monthly varieties, and those which do not jjroduce 
runners. • 

The original species or varieties appear to persistently 
retain their normal characteristics under all the varied 



STEAWBEKKY. 6o 

changes wliicli they have been subjected to in cultivation. 
This constancy of the F. vesca may account for the 
fact that no advance, of any imjDortance, was made in 
Strawberry culture in Europe until other and more variable, 
as well as valuable, species were introduced. 

In 15T8, Lyte, ui his translation of " Dodoens Herball," 
mentions only the Wood Strawberry. Gerarde, in 1597, 
named the White and Red Wood Strawberry. In 1G23, 
Casper Bauhin, in his " Pinax," mentions the White and 
Red Wood, Alpine, and Hautboy or Ilaarbeer Strawberries. 
Parkinson, in his Paradisus, 1629, page 528, says that there 
are divers sorts in cultivation, and names the Red and 
White Wood, Green, Virginia, and another variety, which 
he called the Bohemian. In his Theatrum Botanicum, is- 
sued in 1 G40, page 758, he mentions a variety of the Al- 
pine, which, he says, is barren, producing no fi-uit. It was 
probably one of the Potentillas, and not a Strawberry, for 
he also describes another variety which, he says, has yellow 
flowers, and the seeds are in a dry, compact head, and the 
plant has smaller leaves, and creeps along the ground with 
many fine stems. 

About 1G60 a Strawberry grower at Montreuil, in France, 
is said to have produced a new variety from the seed of the 
Wood Strawberry. It was called the Cappron, but after- 
wards the Fressaut. This is the first unproved vai-iety of 
which we have any account. It was in cultivation at the 
time that Evelyn translated Qumtinies " French Gardiner," 
m 1682 ; also mentioned by Duchesne, about a hundred 
years later. 

The persistency with which some sj^ecies reproduce 
themselves is quite remarkable, but not more so than the 
equally great variations that are constantly being developed 
in others. 

Those species from which we have produced the greatest 

"number of valuable varieties, generally show the greatest 

diversity of character in their natural or normal condition. 



36 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

The Virginian Strawbcriy, which is the most common 
Strawberry of our woods and fields, was introduced into 
England, early in the seventeenth century ; but little atten- 
tion, however, was paid to its cultivation for nearly or 
quite one hundred, years thereafter. But as soon as its 
valuable qualities w^ere discovered, and it was found that 
by merely sowing seeds new varieties, greatly differing 
from the parent, were readily produced, it began to attract 
the attention of fruit growers, and received the care it 
deserved. 

It is the most fragrant of all known species, possessing 
a delightful, aromatic pei-fume, not surpassed by any other 
fi-uit. It is a robust and vigorous grower, withstanding 
the severe cold of our northern winters, as well as the 
burning sun of summer. It assumes very distinct charac- 
ters in different locations, those of the Western States 
varying considerably from those of the Eastern, so much 
so that the varieties grown from them usually retain their 
peculiar characteristics through an ahnost indefinite num- 
ber of generations. 

Among the varieties in cultivation at the present time 
we can recognize many whose parentage can be traced to 
the western plants, while others are unmistakably from 
those of the Eastern States. I will name a few of each class, 
and those who are acquainted with them will more readily 
recognize their peculiar characters than they could from 
any descriptions which I might give — only premising 
that the western class, as a rule, produce the largest, soft- 
est, and most acid fruit. 

The best knoAvn of the western type are : Austin, Iowa, 
Downer's Prolific, Green Prolific, General Scott, and 
Victory. 

Of the eastern type. Early Scarlet, Jenny Lind, Scott's 
Seedling, Boston Pine, Brighton Phic, &c. 

The various forms observed in the F. Virgimana in dif-' 
ferent portions of the country, have given rise to much dis- 



cussion as to whether all these variations should be classed 
as one species, or separated into diflerent ones. Dr. 
Asy Gray classes them all as one species, and he is un- 
doubtedly correct. 

A few woiild-he authorities will not acknowledge that a 
species can possibly be variable, and still be the same. 
Consequently we often see long essays from such men, in 
which the^ Virginiana is divided into numerous species, 
such as F. Illinoiensis, F. lowaensis, &c. We might witli 
as much propriety separate our American chestnut into 
innumerable si^ecies, for there is as great diflerence in the 
nuts and growth of the tree as is to be found in the com- 
mon Strawberry. 

Free discussion in scientific matters is to a certain extent 
beneficial; but it is doubtful whether the present or fu- 
ture generations will be benefited by such dissertations as 
frequently appear in some of our rural periodicals or in 
our agricultural reports, purporting to come from intelli- 
gent men, while the fact is apparent to every one who has 
the least knowledge on the subject of which they treat, 
that said articles are a mass of errors, and the authors 
write for other purposes than those of giving information 
to the people. 

For a number of years the Virginia Strawberry had no 
successful rival in English gardens, though it was never so 
highly api^reciated in Britain as here, from the fact that it 
is more acid and not so highly flavored in the moist cool 
climate of that country as in our own. 

The introduction of the South American species {F. 
grandiflora) gave a new impetus to Strawberry culture in 
Eurojie. 

The fruit is naturally much larger and sweeter than any 
of the other species, consequently it does not require so 
much heat to develop its saccharine qualities. That pe- 
culiai* aromatic sprightliness, which is such a prominent 



38^ SMALL FEUIT (lULTUEIST. 

feature in the F. Virginiana, is, however, almost entirely 
wanting in other species. 

The same dissecting process has been applied to the 
South American species as to our northern one, and it is 
soiiletimes called F. Chiliensis, F. Bonariensis, &c. — the 
name usually indicating the place from which the supposed 
distinct species was derived. That the different varieties 
discovered in the various portions of the country ai'e quite 
distinct, every one who is acquainted with them will admit. 
Yet these variations are no greater than have already 
been mentioned in those of other species. 

The first account we have of the South American Straw- 
berry is in 1716, when M. Frezier, in his voyage to the 
South Sea, foimd it at the foot of the Cordillera Mountains, 
near Quito, and carried it home to Marseilles, in France. 

It was at that time called the Chili Strawberry, and the 
Spaniards said that they had previously brought it from 
Mexico. 

We do not learn from any of the old French works that 
any new varieties were raised from the Chili Strawberry 
for at least fifty years after its introduction. Duchesne, in 
1766, says " that Miller considered its cultivation as aban- 
doned in England on account of its sterility." The impor- 
tations from other portions of South America appear to 
have met with better success, and about fifty years ago 
new varieties of the F. grandlflora, as well as of the Vu-- 
giniana, became quite abiuidant in England and on the 
Continent. 

At the present time the varieties of F. grandlflora appear 
to be valued more highly m Europe than any other — at least 
we judge so from the fact that almost all of the new varie- 
ties impoi'ted of late years show more of the characteristics 
of this species than of others. This may account for the 
failure of so many of the new foreign varieties in the 
Northern States. The severe cold of our winters, and our 



STKA-WBEEKY. 39 

dry, hot summers, are two extremes that they cannot with- 
stand. 

Occasionally we receive a variety which, by extra care 
and protection in winter, will produce a large crop ; but, 
as a whole, it is doubtful whether the Strawberry growers 
in the United States have been permanently benefited by 
the introduction of any of the new varieties raised from 
the grandiflora. They may have awakened a taste for 
more thorough experiments in Strawberry culture, and by 
hybridizing them with our more hardy kinds produced 
new ones of real value. 

SEXUALITY OF THE STRAWBERRY. 

Naturally the Strawberry flower possesses stamens and 
pistils ; it is therefore perfect, as both of these organs are 
necessary for the production of fruit. Every botanist, from 
Linnaeus down to the present time, has described the 
Strawberry flower as perfect or bi-sexual. 

Therefore, to assume that this is not the normal charac- 
ter (as a few writers of late have done) is to controvert all 
of our botanical authorities, and charge them with over- 
looking that which the most casual observer could have 
seen. When plants are taken from their native habitats 
and placed under cultivation, they very often assume forms 
quite different from their natural ones. Sometimes a par- 
ticular organ is suppressed, while others are enlarged ; thus 
we have the pistillate Strawberry and the double rose. 

Occasionally the seeds of domesticated plants are carried 
by bii'ds or animals to woods and fields quite distant 
from the garden in which they are cultivated, and if per- 
chance they are deposited under favorable conditions they 
will produce fruit similar to that from which they ori- 
ginated. If we find a pistillate Strawberry or double rose 
growing wild, does it prove that these are the normal char- 
acters of the genus ? Far from it ; but it only shows that 



40 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



jjlants are susceptible of change under certain circumstances, 
and especially when these 
are not perfectly natural. 

The Stravrbcrry be- 
longs to the same great 
natural family as the rose, 
but when placed under 
those artificial circum- 
stances to which it is 
subjected when cultivat- 
ed, instead of becoming 
double, (although semi- 
double varieties are occa- 
sionally produced,) the 
stamens are sometimes 
suppressed, and varieties are produced with fiovfers con- 
taining pistils only. 




■PERFECT FLOWER. 




Fig. 13. — PERFECT Fl.OWICii ENLARGED. 

Figure 11 shows what is termed a perfect or bi-sexual 
flower. The pistils are in the center, while around them 



STKAAVBliEIlY. 



41 



are some twenty or more organs, Avliicli arc called stamens. 
These are qnite difierent in appearance from the pistils, be- 
ing longer, and each one is terminated by a small knob, 
Avliich is called the anther. The anthers contain pollen^ a 




Y'VX,. 13. — SECTION OF PERFECT FLOWER. 

substance that is necessary for the production of seed. In 
figure 12 is shown the same flower as in figure 11, but, be- 
ing considerably enlarged, the stamens are more readily 
seen. The same flower is shown in figure 13, divided longi- 
tudinally to show the i:)arts still more distinctly, and their 
relative positions. 

Every so-called seed of the Strawberry has one pistil 
situated on its apex ; consequently it is a \ 

very important organ, inasmuch as it is /'' Y ^^- 
through this channel that the influence of -^i "V-A 

the pollen reaches the ovule or seed vessel. 

The stamens are situated on the calyx, 
and they may be artificially removed or 
suppressed by nature, in which case we 
have a pistillate flower which will produce 
fruit, if the pistils are fertilized from 
another flowei*. It is not important 
whether a floAver produces its own jjol- 
len or is supplied from another source. 

Figure 14 shows a instillate flower of 
the usual size, and in figure 15 the same enlarged. By com- 
paring these with the two preceding the difierence may 
readily be observed. 




Fig. 14. — PISTIL- 
LATE FLOWERS. 



4;3 SMALL FRUIT CULTUraST. 

The size of these is also variable ; sometimes they are 




nSTILLATE FLOWER ENLARGED. 



considerably larger than those shovrn as of natural size. 

The flowers of Fragaria grandlflora are larger than 
those of other siDecies, and 
sometimes they have seven pe- 
tals, as shown in figure IG, 
while five is the usual number. 

Another variation from the 
natural form, although very 
rarely seen, is that of flowers 
without any pistils. These, 
of course, produce no fruit, 
and they are nothing more nor 
less than degenerated or de- 
formed specimens, and are not 
worthy of notice further than 
to show the peculiar changes 
that sometimes occur in cultivated plants. 

The foregoiug are the principal forms noticed in both 




Fis. 10.— FLOWER WITH 7 PETALS. 



STKAWBERRY. 43 

wild and cultivated varieties, but there are various grada- 
tions from each of these ; for, while the natural flower gen- 
erally contains about twenty stamens, some cultivated 
varieties have less than half that number, while others, as 
I have shown, possess none. Consequently, if a variety is 
produced which has flowers destitute of stamens, it will be 
dependent upon others for fertilization. Many such have 
from time to time been produced and disseminated in the 
last fifty years. That some seedlings produced perfect 
flowers, while others have those that are imperfect, was ob- 
served in Europe at least a hundred years ago. This pecu- 
liarity Avas first observed in the seedlings of the Hautbois, 
but afterwards in the seedlings of other species, although 
it does not appear to be of so common occurrence in Eu- 
rojDC as in the United States. 

The reason for this I am not able to state, unless it be 
because t\\Q Fragaria Vtrginiana, from which the greater 
portion of our varieties is produced, is more subject to 
the change than other species. It may be that our climate 
has something to do with it, but whatever may be the 
cause, the effect is apparent in many pistillate varieties of 
Strawberries in cultivation. 

Keen reported his observations upon this variation in the 
sexes of the Strawberry, in 1809, to the London Horticul- 
tural Society. This called the attention of growers in this 
country to the subject, but very little was said or written 
in relation to it until Mi'. Hovey produced his seedling 
Strawberry in 1834. 

This being a pistillate, and the largest and best variety 
that had been as yet produced in this country, it gave rise 
to an immense amount of discussion upon the sexuality of 
the Strawberry. There appear to be a few men who are 
always ready to ride any new hobby, whether it has one 
leg or more. Consequently there were a few who imme- 
diately started the theory that the botanists had made a 
great mistake, and that the Strawberry was naturally di- 



44 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 

CBceous, i. e., one plant bearing staminate flowers and the 
other pistillate ones. 

Considerable excitement was created in consequence, and 
communications innumerable upon the subject were poured 
into our horticultural journals, each writer claiming to 
have discovered something new in regard this, to them, 
wonderful phenomenon. 

One writer has for the past ten years or more, almost 
annually, given the public a grand diagnosis of the case, 
asserting that the pistillate varieties were the only ones to 
be depended upon for a large crop, and that they were 
naturally the most productive, while the facts are that there 
are hundreds of perfect flowering kinds in cultivation that 
are fully equal, if not superior, to the most productive pis- 
tillates. That we have many very excellent varieties 
among this latter class no one will deny, but that, as a 
whole, they are any better than the others cannot be sub- 
stantiated by facts. 

There is but one serious objection to the pistillate varie- 
ties, and that is, two kinds must be grown to insure a crop 
from one, or a perfect flowering variety must be grown 
near a i^istillate to fertilize its flowers, or no fruit will be 
produced. This is imperatively necessary ; consequently 
the close proximity of the two kinds has led to much con- 
fusion, inasmuch as the runners of the two are very liable 
to intermingle, imless great care is exercised to prevent it. 
I have usually found it more diflicult to get pure plants of 
the pistillate varieties than of the others, and the excuse 
given by the grower for the mixture was that the variety 
grown for the purpose of fertilizing them had become in- 
termingled. If this is the only reason, it is certainly a 
very lame one, as there is no necessity for the plants be- 
ing mixed, because setting the two kinds in adjacent beds 
will answer every purpose. 

But without presuming to advance a tlieory on the sub- 
ject, I would suggest whether it is not possible that varia- 



STKAW BERRY. 45 

tions may have been made on growing plants by the influ- 
ence of the pollen from different varieties. It is generally 
supposed that no effect is produced except on the seeds, but 
as it is most conclusively pi'oved in animal physiology that 
the female retains the effect of the first impregnation hi her 
system for years, may not the same be true of plants, and 
the admixture or deterioration of one, and the improve- 
ment of another kind growing in close proximity, be caused 
by the absorption of qualities each from the other ? • 

If the effect of the pollen reaches no further than the 
seeds, why is not the fruit (receptacle) produced without 
them. But we find that wherever the pistils are not fer- 
tilized the receptacle also fails, or if a portion only is sup- 
plied with pollen then the recej)tacle is deformed in pro- 
portion. Remove one, two, or more pistils before they 
are fertilized, and the berry, just at that point, fails to en- 
large or come to maturity. No seeds, no berry, is the rule. 

If the Strawberry seed was large enough to be readily 
examined, we should probably see a difference in color and 
form just as we notice in mixed A^arieties of corn. In the 
latter we can see that the influence of cross fertilization 
extends further than the seed, because its receptacle (cob) 
is often changed beneath the kernel to a color similar to 
that of the variety which produced the pollen. 

It is often asserted that the Hovey is better when fertil- 
ized with one kind than with another, and may not this be 
true further than that of being fully supplied with pollen ? 

Strawberry culture would probably have been just as 
far advanced if we had never had a pistillate variety in 
cultivation, and much confusion would have been avoided. 
Had not Mr. Hovey produced so good a pistillate variety 
as he did, it is very likely that such kinds would have never 
been tolerated by fruit growers anywhere. But the advent 
of this variety gave a new impetus to Strawberry culture, 
and at the present time it is considered in some sections as 
a standard market fruit. 



4G SMALL PKUIT CULTURIST. 

Another important consideration in cultivating pistillate 
varieties is to grow as a fertilizer a kind that produces an 
abundance of pollen ; besides that the two should bloom at 
the same time. 

STRUCTURE OF THE PLANTS. 

All the varieties and species of the StraAvberry have a 
family resemblance ; still there is considerable difference in 
the form and structure. Some produce large stools, while 
others naturally divide into individual plants. One of the 
prominent features of the Strawberry is to multiply by 
runners ; yet among the Alpine or Wood species we have 
varieties which produce none or very sparingly. There- 
fore it is apparent that the different forms will require dif- 
ferent treatment. Some have long, slander, wiry roots, 
while others have very short, fleshy ones, each of which 
require a soil suited to their growth, if the very highest 
development is obtained. 

Our native varieties, particularly those grown from the 
F. Virginiana, have longer and more wiry roots than 
those grown from the F. grandiflora. Consequently 
they are better suited to field cultivation, and where the 
soil is not frequently stirred, or upon light soil, the roots will 
spread further in search of food and they are not so 
readily affected by drouth. 

There is another peculiarity in the form of the roots 
which is worthy of attention. The native Strawberry 
produces stools, but the crowns, instead of adhering to- 
gether, often separate as they become old, each producing 
roots for self-support. 

To show more fully the peculiar form usually observed 
in the varieties of the F. Virginiana and F. grandiflora, 
I have inserted the two following illustrations taken from 
the Strawberry Calturist. 

Figure 17 is an exact representation, half size, of a plant 
of the Boston Pine that is three years old. While it 



STKAAVBEREY, 



47 




Fig. 1'?. — OJ.Tt PLAxNT OF BOSTON PIKE. 



48 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 

shows a number of crowns, there are not more than two 
united on one stem. Varieties of this class naturally di- 
vide, and do not form large or very compact stools ; con- 
sequently the crowns remain more nearly on the level of 
the surface than when they are united, as seen is figure 18, 
which represents a plant of Triomphe de Gand of the 
same age as the other. 

A, C and D represent the side crowns, and B the cen- 
tral one ; E, the old fruit stalk of the present season ; F, 
F, new roots starting from the base of the side crowns 
above the soil. In this variety the crowns are produced 
almost on the top of the old ones ; consequently the plants 
are continually becoming higher, until, at last, the new 
roots cannot reach the soil, and the plant languishes and 
dies. Althougli tJje Strawberry root is perennial, still 
one new root is of more importance to the j^lant than a 
dozen old ones. The difference in the structure of the 
two plants suggests the need of a peculiar cultivation for 
each, and by experience we have learned that many of 
our native varieties will remain productive for many years, 
even when allowed to grow "without cultivation, while 
very few of the varieties of F. grandiflora will succeed 
under similar treatment. 

To keep a succession of new roots and continued vigor 
for a number of years, those varieties with roots similar 
to the Triomphe should be grown in rows or hills, so that 
fresh soil may be drawn up to the plants when required. 
I do not wish to be understood as advocating the cultiva- 
tion of plants for a long time without removal, but throw 
out these hints for the purpose of showing that frequent re- 
movals are more necessary witli some than with others. 

PROPAGATION. 

There are tliree modes of propagating tlie Strawberry 
in use at the present time, viz. : seeds, runners and divi- 
sions of the roots. 



STRAV\'BERRT. 



49 




Fig. 18. — OLD PLANT OF TKIOMPITE DE GAND. 



50 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 

By Seed. — To obtain seeds, the fruit should "be gath- 
ered when fully ripe, spread out and dried, thus jDreserving 
it in the pulp ; or the fruit may be crushed in water and 
the seeds washed out cleanly. The good seeds will sink 
and the pulp Avill remain on the surface, from which it can 
be readily removed. 

The seeds may be sown immediately, or kept until the 
next spring. 

The i3lan which I have usually adopted in raising seed- 
lings is as follows : 

Gather the largest berries of the very best varieties to be 
obtained, then mix them with dry sand, crushing the fruit, 
and so tlioroughly manipulating the mass that no two 
seeds will remain together. Then sow the sand contain- 
ing the seed, either in some half shady situation in the 
open ground, or in pots or boxes. The soil in which they 
are sown should be light and friable, and the seeds not 
covered more than one-quarter of an inch deep. Keep 
the soil moist, and tlie plants will usually begin to appear 
in foiir to six weeks after sowing. When they have 
formed four or five leaves they may be transplanted into 
the open ground — if they have been started in jDots or 
boxes. When sown in the open ground, it is best to let 
them remain in the seed-bed until the following spring, 
protecting them with straAV, leaves or other similar ma- 
terial in winter. Transplant into rows at least two feet 
apart, and the same distance in tlie row ; keep off all run- 
ners the first season and hoe often. 

Occasionally a seedling will produce fruit the second 
season — that is, plants started in the autumn will fruit the 
next spring ; but they will not be strong enough to bear 
fruit that will be a reliable indication of their future value. 
It is best to protect the plants the first and second winters, 
if no longer, so that they will have nothing to obstruct 
their full development. The third season, look over the 
plants very carefully when in bloom, aud mark the sex of 



STRAWBERRY. 51 

each, so that it shall be known when the fruit is ripe 
Avhether the flowers are pistillate or perfect. When a 
variety has been jjroduced that promises well, it should be 
carefully taken up and planted by itself, that its runners 
may have an opportunity of taking root without inter- 
mingling with others. 

The plant may be removed just so soon as the character 
of the fruit is determined upon, always choosing a wet 
day if convenient ; if not, give the soil about the plant 
a good soaking, and then remove it with as much soil ad- 
hering as p.ossible. Shade it a few days after removal to 
prevent its wilting. 

I would caution the novice not to be too sanguine about 
the value of new seedlings, because they will very often 
appear much better the first season than ever after. 

A few years since I raised a large number of seedlings, 
and when ripe, a committee of six very competent gentle- 
men Avas appointed by the Farmers' Club of the Ameri- 
can Institute to examine and report upon them. Seventy 
varieties were marked and described as very promising 
and worthy of further trial. Seventy beds were very 
thoroughly prepared, and each original plant carefully 
placed in the center of one of these beds. About a dozen 
runners were allowed to grow from each plant, and all 
others removed. The next season the same committee 
examined them again, and they reduced the number to 
seven. These were given more room and continued care 
until another season, when the number was reduced to 
three. 

I give this as the result of only one experiment ; others 
might be given with similar results. It is a very easy 
matter to originate new varieties, but to get one that shall 
be superior, or even equal, to the best now in cultivation, 
is not so readily accomplished as some may suppose. 

I would advice every one to try, because there is a 
chance of producing one that will be better adapted to 



53 SMALL FKUIT CULTUEIST. 

the gi-ower's soil or location than any that could be pro- 
diiced elsewhere. 

PEOPAGATION BY RUNNERS. 

The varieties mainly cultivated in this country are 
propagated from the runners. The first produced are 
usually the strongest and best for early planting, but 
those that are formed later in the season are equally as good 
when they arrive at the same age or size. A few theoi'Ists 
have maintained that the first plants formed near the 
parent stool were the only ones that should be used, and 
that they were far superior to the others, and Avould al- 
ways be more prolific. This assertion is not supported by 
facts ; consequently is not worthy of a moment's thought. 
To insure the rooting of runners, the surface of the soil 
should be kept loose and oj)en, and if the weather is very 
dry at the time they are fanning, it is well to go over the 
beds and cover the new roots as they are produced. 
When only a few very large and strong plants are wanted, 
it is well to pinch off the runner just beyond the first 
plant, that this may become strong and vigorous. 
. A good plan to insure the safe removal of runners after 
they are rooted, is to sink a pot filled with soil under each 
joint of the runner and let the roots strike into it. In 
tw^o or three weeks the pot may be lifted, and the runner 
sej^arated from the parent plant. This is a tedious and 
expensive mode and seldom necessary. 

It often occurs when taking up plants in the fall that 
many of the small ones are not well rooted, and, if the 
variety is scarce and valuable, they may be worth savhig. 
If so, cut off the runner close to the plant, and then dib- 
ble them close together either in the open ground or in a 
frame, shade them, and give plenty of water until they are 
rooted. If they do not produce sufficient roots before 
cold weather, then j^rotect them, and they will usually 
form roots before wanted for planting in the spring. 



STRAWBERET. 53 

The richer and better the soil, the more rapid will be the 
production of roots, whether in frames or th« open ground. 

I have found it to be a good plan to cover the entire 
surface of the soil with fine compost of pure manure be- 
fore the runners start in spring. 

The runners draw their sustenance from the parent plant 
until they have formed roots sufficient for self-support. 
It is therefore important that their roots shall find some- 
thing to feed upon soon after they are emitted. If water 
can be libei-ally apjjlied to the beds it will insure the emis- 
sion of roots very raj^idly. 

PROPAGATION BY ROOT DIVISIONS. 

This mode is seldom practiced except with the bush 
Alpine Strawberries, which produce few or no runners. 

The best time to divide these is in the early spring, tak- 
ing up the stools and dividing them, leaving only one crown 
to the plant. If the old root is very long, it is best to cut 
off the lower end, and plant as deep as can be done with- 
out covering the leaves. 

SOIL AND SITUATION. 

There is probably no one kind of soil that is equally 
well adapted to every variety. A deep, rich, sandy loam 
has been more generally recommended than any other, 
and is perhaps the best, all things considered, that could 
be named. 

Still a light sand or heavy clay may be, with a very little 
expense, brought into a condition to jiroduce abundant 
crops of very fine Strawberries. 

Some varieties seem to thrive best on a soil in which 
clay predominates, while others do best in a light rich sand. 

A deep soil, whether it be naturally light or heavy, is 
one of the requisites imperatively demanded by the Straw- 
berry. If the soil is naturally very wet it may require un- 
derdraining ; but there are few farms on which a situation 



54 SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. 

may not be found where deep plowing will not render the 
soil suitable for a Strawberry bed. Thorough preparation 
of the soil is the very foundation of success, therefore no 
slovenly system — such as once plowing and harrowing — 
should be tolerated ; but the ground should not only be 
plowed, but cross-plowed, and if not naturally deep and 
friable it should be subsoiled at least sixteen inches deep. 
If the cultivator will only bear in mind tliat one acre pre- 
pared in the best manner will produce more fruit than 
three or four acres fitted as is usually done, he will under- 
stand the importance of doing it well. 

I do not believe that there is one acre of Strawberries 
in a thousand, cultivated in this country, that yields over 
one half that it would if the ground was properly pre- 
pared before planting. 

It is the same with Strawberries as with many other 
fruits — too many acres and too little care. 

The situation should be open and airy, because in such 
there is less danger of the blossoms being injured by late 
spring frosts. 

To secure the early ripening of the fruit, a southern 
exposure is of course preferable, and for a late croj) a 
northern one. By planting the very earliest varieties in 
a warm situation, and the latest in a cool one, the season 
may be considerably lengthened. 

MANURES. 

The Strawberry is not very particular as to the kind of 
manure it receives, 2:)rovided it is in sufticient quantities. 
To tell a man who cultivates the Strawberry on the rich 
prairie soil of the West that he must apply manure to his 
soil before jjlanting, would be considered a very foolish 
recommendation ; but to undertake to gi*ow them on al- 
most any of our eastern lands without it would be equally 
absurd. In fact, most of our fruit growers in the Eastern 
States determine their profits in advance, simply by the 



STEAWBEKEY. 55 

amount of manure applied to the soil — the more ahundant 
the application the greater the profits. 

All i^lants require food, and it is evident that if it is not 
in the soil it must be placed there, or no satisfactory re- 
sults will be obtained. In the Eastern States we gather 
fruit in proportion to the amount of plant-food which we 
place in the soil. 

Old and thoroughly decomposed barn-yard manure is 
scarcely to be excelled for the Strawberry. But it is often 
the case that a sufficient quantity of this cannot be ob- 
tained, and if so, then the next best thing to be done is 
to make a compost of barn-yard manure and muck, leaves 
or sods, using one load of manure and two of either of 
the others. Mix them together, and let them remain in a 
heap for three months or more, not forgetting to turn it 
over at least once a ihonth. 

In heavy soils fresh manure may be used without injury, 
and if a liberal application of peat or light friable muck is 
given it will be very beneficial. In sandy soils a compost 
of muck and manure is one of the best fertilizers that can 
be applied. In fact, i^ure muck from the swamps, placed 
where it can be frequently stirred, will become in one 
season suitable to be applied directly to the roots of al- 
most any plant. 

If lime, ashes, spejjt hops from the breweries, castor 
pomace or any similar materials be added, even in small 
quantities, it will assist very much in its decomposition 
and fitting it for the use of plants. There are thousands 
of acres of land in the Eastern States that are now pro- 
ducing nothing, not even weeds, because manure cannot 
be obtained in sufiicient quantities to make them fertile, 
and yet in many instances these very acres are bordered 
with muck-beds which are nothing more or less than inex- 
haustible deposits of manure. 

The time is probably not far distant when these mines 



56 SMALL FKUIT CULTUEIST. 

of wealth will be worked, to an extent not dreamed of at 
the present tune. 

Concentrated manures — such as bone, guano, poudrette, 
&c. — are sometimes used upon the Strawberry witli good 
results. It requires some care in their application, or the 
plants are liable to be injured, thereby. 

Ashes are also valuable, particularly on sandy soils. 
They may be applied by scattering upon the surface at 
tlie rate of from ten to twenty bushels per acre. A far 
more preferable mode is to compost them with muck or 
leaf mold, from the woods, but they should, never be 
mixed with manure, for they will cause it to give off, in 
the form of gases, the very materials which should be re- 
tained. 

Lime is said to be injurious to the Strawberry, particu- 
larly when applied directly or alone. I have had no per- 
sonal experience witli it uj^on the Strawberry, but have 
known several instances of failure, the cause of which 
was attributed to the use of lime. 

TIME TO PLANT. 

Spring and fall are the two seasons in wliich the Straw- 
berry is usually transplanted. Although with the requisite 
care the operation may be performed at any time during 
the summer, the spring seems to be the more natural 
and preferable one of the two. • 

The plants are then just starting into growth after their 
long rest. The small amount of foliage which has sur- 
vived the winter is fully matured ; consequently it calls 
for very little nutriment from the roots. Tlie warm spring 
rains supply the plants with moisture, and the very atmos- 
phere of this season appears to be full of life. 

Fall planting is usually jDerformed in August and Sep- 
tember in the Northern States. 

This season has one advantage, and that is : if the 
plants can be set so early that they will become firmly 



I 



STEAWBERKY. 57 

rooted before cold "weather, they will sometimes produce 
a partial crojD the ensuing season, as well as make a 
stronger growth, than if the operation is deferred until 
spring. 

When one has the plants so near at hand that they can 
be removed without having their roots exposed to the air 
for a few moments even, besides having an opportunity of 
selecting rainy or cloudy weather for the operation, then 
it may be done in the autumn with success. But when 
the plants are to be brought from a distance, and when, 
as it will often occur, they arrive in a time of drouth, fall 
planting becomes a doubtful advantage. I do not wish to 
discourage fall trade in Strawberry plants ; yet from an 
experience extending over many years in both buying and 
selling plants, I conclude that fall planting is for more un- 
certain than spring. 

PREPARATION OF PLANTS. 

When plants are taken up in sj)ring there will be more 
or less dead leaves upon them ; these should all be re- 
moved, leaving only those that appear fresh and green. 
Some roots will be broken, and the sound ones, if long, 
cannot readily be placed in the ground again without be- 
ing crowded or otherwise thrown out of their natural 
position. To avoid any difficulty on this point, I always 
shorten them to at lea?t one half their length. 

Figure 19 shows the position of the roots on a medium 
or small plant before removal, A, being the runner con- 
necting it with the parent plant ; B, a new runner on 
which other plants would have been formed, provided the 
season had been favorable for their growth ; C, D, the 
cross line showing where the roots should be cut after the 
plant is taken up. This shortening causes them to throw 
out a new set of fibrous roots from the cut ends. 

It also causes roots to be emitted more abundantly from 
near the crown than would have been the case if the roots 
3* 



58 



SMAI.L FEUIT CULTUKIST. 



had not been shortened. Figure 20 shows the same j^lant 
as it "will apj^ear after having been planted a few weeks. 
It is not necessary to trim each jilant separately, bnt a 
handful may be pruned at one cut of the knife. Plants 
thus pruned are more readily planted, and the roots are 




•WHERE TO PRUNE ROOTS. 



easily spread out at the time, which is quite important, 
because each root can produce rootlets without being en- 
tangled with others. 

In transplantmg in the autumn it is unnecessary to 
shorten the roots, unless they are so long that they cannot 
be conveniently planted entire. The roots of the Straw- 
berry continue to grow from the extreme ends until cold 
weather, and when moved in fall or summer the roots 



STEAWBEEKT. 



59 



should be taken up entire, and carefully spread out when 
again placed in the soil. If the plants have been out of 
the groiand long enough to cause the roots to have 
changed color and become dark and wilted, then they 
should be treated the same as those removed in spring. 




Fig. 20.— GROWTH OP PRtnSTED KOOTS. 

All of the largest leaves should be cut off from plants 
when removed, leaving but two or three of the center 
leaves, as a plant is far more likely to live if only this 
number is allowed to remain on it than if none are re- 
moved. 

We are now supposing that the plants are taken up 
without any soil adhering to the roots. If each plant is 



60 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

moved with a ball of earth, then there will be no necessity 
for reducing the number of leaves, because the connection 
between the root and soil will not be broken, or, at least, 
not entirely separated ; consequently they can continue 
to absorb moisture and nutriment for the support of all 
the leaves. 

Sometimes it may be advisable to " puddle " the roots, 
as it is called, before planting. This operation is per- 
formed by mixing water with soil until it is of the consis- 
tency of tlun mortar; then dip tlie roots into it, coating 
them with the mixture, which excludes the air and pre- 
vents Avilting so long as it remains moist. A tenacious 
clay makes the best puddle, but it will sometimes adhere 
so closely to the roots as to become injurious. It is well 
to jDuddle, before packing, the roots of plants that are to 
be transported a long distance, and consequently be a long 
time on the journey. But the puddling should be washed 
off and the roots trimmed before j^lanting again. 

Roots that have been entirely excluded from the air for 
any considerable time are likely to become soured, and it 
is best to clean and refresh them with pure water before 
again placing them in the ground. 

PLANTING AND CULTIVATION. 

There is no one operation of more importance to the 
future success of a Strawberry bed than careful planting. 
Some cultivators plant with a dibble, making a small hole 
in Avhich the roots are thrust, all crowded together in a 
mass. Plants may live under such treatment, but certainly 
cannot thrive so well as though their roots were carefully 
spread out in a natural position. 

A common garden trowel should always be used, and a 
hole made in the soil large enough to admit the roots 
without crowding. Set the plants just so deep that 
all of the roots will be covered, and no deeper ; for if the 
crown is buried it is very liable to decay, particularly in a 



STRA^VBEKEY. 61 

heavy soil. If a handful of very fine compost or manure 
is mixed with the soil around them at tlae time of ^^lant- 
ing it will very materially assist in their future growth. 

It is always best to select a cloudy day for planting, if 
possible, but when only a few are to be set out they may 
be Avatered and shaded, and their growth insured without 
any regard to the weather. The distance between the 
j)lants will depend uj^ou vv^liat kind of cultivation is to be 
given them. The oldest method of field culture in this 
country, and the one j^racticed upon thousands of acres 
in the Eastern States at the present time, is to plant in 
rows from two and a half to three feet apart, placing 
the plants about a foot distant in the rows. 

The beds are hoed during the early part of summer, or 
until the runners cover the, ground, after which no atten- 
tion is paid to them imtil next spring. Then paths about 
a foot wide, and at a distance of four feet from each other, 
are made, thus forming beds with narrow paths, in which 
the pickers are exjDCcted to stand when gathering the fruit. 

Two or three crops are gathered from these beds before 
any change is made or cultivation is given, except that of 
hoeing or plowing out the paths each season before pick- 
ing time. 

When the beds have become so much crowded with 
weeds and plants that the fruit is likely to entirely fail, a 
plow is run through the center of each bed, forming a 
new path, the runners being allowed to take root and fill 
up the old ones. Another croj) or two is taken, and then 
the paths are again changed. Sometimes the beds are 
burned over in the fall after the weeds have died down 
and become dry ; or a heavy harrow is drawn over them 
soon after the crop is gathered, tearing up the weeds and 
a greater part of the plants ; while at the same time it 
breaks up the soil so that the few remaining plants will 
grow with more vigor, and there will be room for the new 



62 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

runners to take root. In this manner the same beds are 
cropped for ten or fifteen years. 

It is not the fancy improved varieties that are treated 
in this manner, but the older kinds, which are but a slight 
improvement upon the common wild berry. The forego- 
ing method of cultivation is certamly not to be recom- 
mended, but I have mentioned it because there are proba- 
bly as many acres of Strawberries grown and treated in 
this manner as are grown under any other system. Our 
eastern cities, particularly New York, Philadelphia and 
Baltimore, have been sujjplied almost entirely, until with- 
in a very few years past, from these half cultivated fields. 
We must conclude that such a method of cultivation is 
profitable ; if not, it would have been abandoned long 
ago, although it is apparent that those who follow this 
system are not afflicted with the spirit of progi'ess. 

BIENNIAL SYSTEM. 

Another method which has of late years become very 
popular is that of planting in beds, say».two or three rows 
in each, placing the plants about eighteen inches apart 
each way, and then leave paths of about two feet. The 
plants are hoed and all weeds destroyed as they appear. 
The runners are all allowed to grow, and the entire sur- 
face is covered with plants, except a path of about two 
feet in width between the beds. These beds are allowed to 
i:)roduce two crops, and then the plants are plowed under 
and some other crop grown on the land for one or two 
seasons, when it is again planted with Strawberries, if de- 
sirable. This is probably one of the very best systems in 
vogue. The first crop is sometimes the best, but usually 
the second is considered as the main one. 

It is much less trouble to plant a new bed than to clean 
the weeds out of an old one ; besides, a first rate crop can- 



STRAWBERRY. 63 

not be expected from a bed where the plants have be- 
come old and crowded. 

A few Strawberry growers renew their beds by plowmg 
up all bnt a small strip of about a foot wide, leaving one 
of these every four feet. Then, by passing a cultivator or 
harrow between these rows, the ground is leveled so that 
the new runners can readily take root. 

ANNUAL SYSTEM. 

This is one of the neatest systems in use, as Aveeds have 
no chance for getting a foothold, imless the ciiltivator is 
very negligent. The plants are put out in rows two to 
three feet apaj-t, and about a foot apart in the row. They 
are carefully cultivated the first season, a crop taken the 
second, and then plowed under. To insure a full crop the 
soil must be made very rich, and the planting done in the 
fall or early spring, and in the most careful manner. 

PLANTING IN ROWS OR HILLS. 

There are but few varieties that succeed so well when 
restricted to hills for a number of years as when allowed 
to produce runners. The varieties of F. grandiflora are 
better adapted to this system than others, because they 
naturally produce large, compact j^lants. 

The usual method is to plant in rows three feet aj)art, 
with plants a foot apart in the row. All runners are cut 
off as soon as they appear, and the beds frequently hoed, 
or kept clean with a cultivator. In the fall the entire sur- 
face is covered with a mulching of leaves, straw or coarse 
bog grass. The plants are covered as well as the ground 
between them. In spring the covering should be removed 
from the crowns of the plants, but left on between them, 
for the purpose of keeping the fruit clean and the ground 
moist. After the fruit has been gathered, sufficient mulch- 
ing may be applied to keep down all weeds, or all of it 



64 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

may be removed, and a plow passed between the rows to 
break up tlie soil, which will have become quite compact 
from being frequently traveled over iu gathering the 
fruit. 

New plants may be allowed to take root in the rows 
between the old stools, thus bringing them the second 
season into what is termed row culture. Some varieties 
will remain productive for several years under this treat- 
mentj but usually three or four years will be as long as 
they can be relied upon for a remunGratlve crop. I have 
practiced this system with many varieties, and believe 
that more fruit per acre can be produced (particularly with 
the foreign kinds) than by any other system. One strong 
stool, Avith plenty of room for its roots, and with the sur- 
face of the soU covered with mulching, will give more and 
larger fruit than twenty j)lants that are crowded, and 
upon an iinprotected soil. 

For general field culture, and with most of our native 
varieties, the biennial or annual system would probably 
be less troublesome and equally as profitable. 

When pistillate varieties are grown they should be kept 
in separate beds, and every alternate one should be a per- 
fect flowering variety, and one that blooms at the same 
time with the pistillate. This bed need not be more than 
half the width of the others. 

GAKDEN CULTURE. 

The same systems recommended for field culture are 
equally applicable to the garden, but usually greater care 
will be given to a small bed than to a large one. 

Water may be applied so that the plants shall never 
suifer for the want of it. Liquid manure should be ap- 
plied, if very large fruit is desired, in addition to mak- 
ing the soil rich. 

Different varieties may also be planted ; for it is not the 
most profitable market fruit that is always of the best 



STRAWBERRY. 65 

quality. In fact, a very hard, firm berry, such as we 
would select for market purposes, is seldom so highly fla- 
vored as those which are more delicate. 

By giving an abundance of water, with liquid manure, 
a second crop is often jjroduced upon many of our com- 
mon varieties. To insure a late crop, the first one must 
not be allowed to mature, but the flowers should be re- 
moved so soon as they appear in spring. 

Then keep off all new runners, and give plenty of water, 

and a fine crop* in August or September is almost certain. 

The Boston Pine I have found to be one of the best 

varieties for j)roducing a late crop when treated in this 

manner. 

The monthly Alpines are excellent varieties for garden 
culture, although they do not produce very large fruit. 
Give them plenty of moisture and a rich soil, and thert. 
will bo but few days from IMay to winter in which a dish 
of Strawberries may not be gathered from a bed of mod- 
erate size. 

The Bush Alpines are less troublesome than those that 
produce runners. 

This class of Strawberries vary but little when groAvn 
from seed, except that the fruit produced on the seedlings 
will be considerably larger for the first two or three crops 
than ever afterwards. 

This peculiarity of the Alpines is well known in Europe, 
and the growers of these kinds always renew their beds 
with seedlmgs, and never depend upon the runners of old 
ones for making new beds or plantations. It is no uncom- 
mon thing to find berries an inch in diameter on young- ' 
seedling plants of Alpines, while on old beds they will 
scarcely average more than one-half of this size. 

The seeds may be saved and sown in the same manner 
as recommended for other kinds. 

The amateur who only cultivates a few Strawberry 
plants in his garden will appreciate the fruit he grows in 



66 SM.VIX FKUIT CULTURIST. 

his own grounds for above any market value ; therefore 
the cost of production is of very little importance, pro- 
vided the results are satisfactory. 

It is not to he expected that a man in moderate cir- 
cumstances will continue to grow fruit which costs more 
than it is worth ; still there is a pleasure in producing ex- 
tra fine fruit, even if there is no great profit in the opera- 
tion. Besides, I am not quite sure that extra care and 
cultivation will not, as a rule, prove to he as profitable as 
that which is generally called good culture. 

I have made several experiments for the purpose of 
thoroughly testing extra cultivation, most of which have 
been quite satisfactory. 

A few years since I prepared a sixteenth of an acre by 
trenching it two feet deep, applying twelve large two- 
horse loads of pure, well-rotted cow manure, thoroughly 
incorporating it wdth the soil to the depth of one foot. 

I then planted this bed with the Triomphe de Gand 
Strawberry, placing the plants about two feet apart each 
way. A few runners were allowed to take root between the 
plants in the rows, but I removed all others. The ground 
was hoed often, and in winter the plants were protected 
with a coat of salt hay two inches in depth. The whole 
expense of preparing the bed-planting, hoeing and mulch- 
ing up to the time of picking the first crop was fifty dol- 
lars. The bed yielded a little over four hundred quarts, 
which, at the low price of twenty-five cents per quart, 
would have given a fair profit. The next crop was fully 
equal to the first, and the expense incurred to produce it 
but very little in comparison to the first. This bed con- 
tinued in bearing for five years, and even then the land 
was in good condition for any other crop. There are prob- 
ably many soils that are naturally as rich as this bed was 
after being prepared, but in this instance it w^as impera- 
tively necessary to enrich the ground to get even a mod- 
erate crop. 



STKAWBEKKY. 



67 



An abundance of moisture is one of the requisites for 
producing large fruit, and the amateur should not fail to 
see that his j^lants receive it, particularly at the time Avben 
the fruit is rii^ening. Mulching the beds is a sure method 
of keeping the soil moist, besides it prevents the fruit 
from getting splashed during violent showers. The short 
mowings of grass from a lawn make an excellent mulch, 
besides it looks very neat — much more so than straw or 
leaves. 

In Europe a tile is sometimes used for the purpose of 
keeping the fruit clean, as well as for covering the soil 
and keeping it moist. 

These tiles are about an inch and a half thick, and 
twelve inches square, and in two 
parts, as shown in figure 21. The 
hole in the center is about four inches 
in diameter. The plants are placed 
a foot apart in the rows, and be- 
fore the fruit begins to ripen the 
tile is placed about them. 

If the rows are only a foot apart, 
then the whole surface will be 
covered, the soil will be kept moist, and the fruit 
clean. If water is required during the time of ripening, 
it can be applied directly to the plant by passing to the soil 
through the hole in the tile. These tiles could probably 
be obtained at any pottery or brickyard if ordered a few 
months in advance of the time they Avere wanted for use. 
It would be necessary to remove the tile after the fruiting 
season was over, and the soil should be worked over 
among the plants; if not it would become heavy and 
soured from being excluded from the air. 

A newly patented article, answering a similar purjjose, 
has just made its appearance in this country. It is called 
II. A. Fuller & Co.'s Patent Strawberry Vase, and is 
manufactured by the above-named firm at Norwich, Conn. 




21 . — STK AWBERRT 
TILE. 




63 SMALL FKUIT CULTUEIST. 

Figure 22 sliows the form of the vase, with a plant grow- 
ing within it. Not leaving tested this vase, I cannot vc- 
commend it from experience ; yet 
it appears to be a good thing for 
the purpose designed. 

The maniificturers claim that 
it protects the fruit from dirt and 
the vines from Aveeds, and that, 
by using it, double the amount of 
fruit will be produced on a given 
sjjace than when the vines are 

I.' . T • J.T T ,1 1 Fio:. 23. — STRAWBERRY VASE, 

cultivated m the ordmary method. ° 

Tlie runners are kept trimmed close to the edge of the 
vase, thereby concentrating the strength of the plant, and 
larger and better fruit M'ill necessarily be the result. 

The flower stems will also grow much longer by being 
inclosed in the neck of the vase, while at the same time 
they will be supjiorted by it, and the fx'uit will rest or hang 
over its upper part. The peculiar form of this vase will 
not only insure the reception by the plant of a greater 
part of the water that falls in the form of rain, but will 
make a direct aj^plication more convenient when applied 
artificially. AVhen this vase is to be used the plants should 
be set one foot apart each Avay, leaving a path every four 
rows. The vases will touch each other, and shade the 
ground, with the exception of the paths, which may be 
covered with a mulch of saw-dust, tan or other material. 

The present price, I am informed, for small quantities 
is twelve dollars per hundred ; consequently they will 
scarcely be used by those who grow Strawberries for 
profit, nnless the yield of fruit is increased in proportion 
to the outlay. 

Nevertheless, all these peculiar contrivances are of in- 
terest to the amateur, besides, it was by improved methods 
of cultivation and extra care that our largest and best 
varieties were first produced. 



STKAWBERET. 69 

Those old and long celebrated English varieties, Keen's 
Seedling and British Qneen, were not produced from seeds 
gathered from neglected plants, but from those which 
had been stimulated by extra culture. And if we expect 
to keej) on improving we must stimulate our plants into a 
vigorous growth — not only the ones fi-om which we gather 
the seeds, but the seedlings themselves. 

To produce large and extra fine specimens, only a few 
berries should be allowed to mature ujion the plant. 
When there are several fruit stems, select three or four of 
the strongest, and destroy the others; also remove all ex- 
cept two or three berries from each. 

Large Strawberries are quite the fashion at the jn-csent 
time, and the amateur cultivator generally takes the lead, 
merely because he applies the requisite means for produc- 
ing the results. 

A few years since an amateur Strawberry grower 
brought some monstrous fniit to an exhibition held in 
one of our eastern cities, and they were so much larger 
than anything that had heretofore been shown, that he 
was oflered and accepted a very large price for the entire 
stock of this variety. 

The purchaser sent his gardener for them soon after, 
and when he took up the plants he found the beds so filled 
with ofial from a slaughter-house that the operation of 
removing the plants was anything but a pleasant one. 
Here were cause and eifect but little separated. This is 
but one instance among the many that might be given to 
show that great results in fruit growing of any kind are 
only derived by direct efibrt on the part of the producer. 

Old plants seldom produce as large berries as young 
ones, and a fresh stock should always be provided, either 
by allowing a few plants in the fruiting beds to throw out 
runners, or by setting a few in separate beds every year 
for that particular purpose. 

Plants that have been highly stimulated will seldom 



70 SMALL FKUIT CULTURIST. 

last more than two or three years, and they Avill frequently 
fail after producing one large crop. The safest plan is 
not to expect more than two crops, and to make the beds 
upon fresh soil, where no Strawberries have been grown 
for at least two seasons. 

FORCING STRAWBERRIES. 

The term forcing is generally used to indicate that a 
fruit is made to ripen at other than its season. In Europe 
the forcing of Strawberries has been extensively practiced 
for a long time, but in this country very little attention 
has been paid to this system of cultivation until within the 
past few years. 

There are few plants that will grow more readily, or 
produce more fruit in proportion to the expense incurred, 
than the Strawberry wdien grown under glass. 

When only a few plants are to be forced, and the object 
is merely to obtain fruit a few weeks in advance of the 
usual time, then a common hot bed may be used for the 
purpose. The plants, however, should be prejjared the 
season previous, and stored where they can be had when 
wanted in early spring. 

An ordinai-y green-house, such as is used for tender exotic 
plants, will answer the purpose. But one which has a 
roof so low down that the plants will be within two or 
three feet of the glass is better than one that is consider- 
ably higher; besides, it will take much less fire to heat a 
low house than a high one. 

The soil in which the plants are to be grown should be 
exceedingly rich. A compost made of three-fourths old 
sods or turfy loam, and one-fourth barn-yard manure, will 
be found excellent for this purpose, and if there is consid- 
erable cow manure among the latter so much the better. 

Mix these materials together, and let them become 
thoroughly decomposed before using. The more frequently 



STRAWBERRY, 71 

the compost is tunied over, the less tune it will require 
for its decomposition. 

Leaf mold from the woods or friable muck, with a little 
addition of pure sand, will answer in the place of sods. 

PREPARATION OF PLANTS. 

When the first runners appear upon plants iu the open 
ground, fill as many three inch pots with the compost as 
you desire, and set them near the old plants from which 
you wish to take those for forcing, placing the top of the 
pot just level with the surface of the soil. When the 
young plants on the runners begin to show roots, place 
one on the soil in each pot, and lay a stone or a little soil 
on the runner to keep it iu its place. 

The end of the runner should be j) inched off just beyond 
the plant, so that it will receive all the nutriment furnished 
by the parent. When the young plant has become rooted 
in the pot, it should be taken up and the runner cut off 
close to the plant ; then set the pots away in an open and 
airy place for a few weeks,- being careful not to let them 
suft'er for the want of water. Set them on flat stones, 
bricks or boards, so that no worms can have access to the 
pots through the hole in the bottom. 

When the plants have I'emained in the pots a few weeks, 
they should be shifted into larger ones. Some prefer to 
place them iu five-inch pots, and afterwards shift into six 
or eight-inch pots, in which they are to be fi'uited, while 
others make but one shift from the small pots. It will 
make but little difierence, as either plan will work well if 
carefully done. The ball of earth containing the roots 
should not be broken when re-potting, but preserved 
whole. A few pieces of broken pots or brick should be 
placed in the bottom of these large jiots for drainage. 

There are a few gardeners who assume that drainage is 
of no importance, but from my own experience of several 



72 SMxVLL FRUIT CULTUKTST. 

years Avitli a great variety of jjlants, I cannot indorse this 
new theory of no drainage, particularly wlien the plants 
grown in pots natui'ally succeed best in a soil that is 
deep and modei'ately dry. With the small pots, drainage 
is of little importance, but with those of larger size all 
surjilus moisture should be allowed to pass through, leav- 
ing only what Avill usually be retained by the soil. 

The plants, after they have been placed in the large 
pots, may be set close together, or plunged up to the rim of 
the pot in the open ground until Avanted, care being given 
to keep them growing vigorously until within a few weeks 
of the time they are to be placed in the forcing-liouse. 
"Water should be gradually withlield, so that the plants 
may ripen. It is not advisable to withhold water en- 
tirely, but give only enough to keep the plants from 
actually suffering for the want of it, and allow them a 
short period of rest before starting them again into 
growth. If runners should appear they must be pinched 
off. Those wanted for an early crop may be jDlaced in the 
house the first of November, as it will be ten to four- 
teen weeks from the time the plants are placed in the 
forcing-house before the fruit will be ripe. 

If a succession of crops is desired, then only a portion 
of the plants should be placed in the house at one time. 

The pots may be set on shelves or plunged in soil — the 
latter method is preferable, as there is less danger of the 
plants being affected by careless watering or change of 
temperature. 

The plants should now be watered regularly, just enough 
to keep the soil moist, but not wet— the temperature of 
the house raised to 65 or 75 degrees in the day, and 50 to 
60 at night, slightly increasing as the flower stems appear. 

The plants should be frequently, say every alternate 
day, syringed or sprinkled overhead until they bloom, 
then omit it until the fruit is set, after which it may be 
continued, but not quite so often as before. While the 



STRAWBERRY. 73 

jjlants are in bloom, as much air slioiild be admitted as 
]iossibIe without lowering the temperature or allowing a 
direct current to strike upon the plants. In clear weather 
the plants will generally require water once a day, and 
sometimes twice. Care should be observed not to let the 
leaves wilt, but do not give so much water that the soil 
shall become sodden and heavy. 

A few applications of liquid manure may be beneficial, 
I^rovided the compost used is not sufficiently rich. When 
the fruit is set and swelling, is a good time to apply it, but 
wdthliold it after the fruit begins to ripen. 

The reserved plants should be stored where they will 
not be frozen. A light, warm cellar or walled pit, 
covered with glass, will answer the purpose — a place 
where they will receive light, and not be frozen, 
yet so cool that they will not be excited into growth. 
Sometimes plants a year old are taken up in the fall and 
potted, and used for forcing, but those prepared as de- 
scribed are preferable. Forcing houses are sometimes so 
arranged that the plants are set directly in the ground 
without pots. A more vigorous growth of plant is se- 
cured by this method, but it is doubtful if the crop of 
fruit is increased. 

Plants that have been once used for forcing should be 
discarded and not used for the same purpose again. It 
may be advisable, in cases of scarcity, to j^lant them out 
in the open ground in spring, for they will occasionally 
produce a moderate crop late in the season. 

All the different operations may be varied to suit the 
circumstances of the case, as in open air culture ; and 
I have only endeavored to give a general plan, omit- 
ting minute details, which the grower will readily 
supply Avhile the operation is in progress. At every step 
caution and a due amount of thought are requisite — such 
as preventing cold curreuts of air striking the plants 
4 



' 74 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



when in bloom, or chilling the roots by applying very 
cold water. 

Forcing Strawberries for market is not a common prac- 
tice, except near our larger cities ; but it will probably be- 
come more general in a few years than at present, partic- 
ularly if two to three dollars per quart can be obtained 
for the fruit, as has been done in ISTew York for several 
years past. 

FORCING HOUSES. 

Few, if any, structures have been built in this country 
expressly for the purpose of forcing Strawberries. 

The common lean-to or span-roof houses are principally 
used for forcing all kinds of fruits, and perhaps they 




Fij^. 2o. — ^FORCING HOUSE. 

answer as well as any other. In Europe many diiferent 
styles are in use, among which there is probably none 
more unique or better adapted to forcing the Strawberry 
than the one shown in the accompanying engraving, fig- 
ure 23. This is a lean-to house, but instead of the usual 
form of roof it is made up of a series of short frames, one 
above the other, like a flight of stairs. These frames rest 



STEAWBERRT. To 

upon cast iron brackets, fixed against the wall or upon 
standards erected for the purpose. Where the brackets 
are fastened directly upon the wall, access is htid to the 
plants by lifting the frames from the front. But the one 
shown is wide enough to allow a passage behind the 
frames. The idea is a good one, which our own gardeners 
will not fail to take advantage of The plants in the 
frames are brought close to the glass, and there is no ex- 
tra or waste space, which requires just as much heat as 
that which is occupied by plants. This style of house 
is said to have originated with the firm of Weeks & Co., 
Chelsea, England. Three difierent plans of these Eng- 
lish houses were given in the Gardeners' Monthly, in 
June, 1865. They may be heated with hot water, steam, 
or any of the other modes usually employed. 

VARIETIES FOR FORCING. 

Comparatively few experiments have been made in this 
country in forcing Sti'awberries ; it is, therefore, not 
known which are the best varieties for that purpose. 
None but those with bi-sexual flowers can be used advan- 
tageously, inasmuch as in the still atmosphere of a house 
the pistillate varieties would be imperfectly fertilized, even 
if abundant perfect flowering kinds were grown among 
them. 

Forced fruit is not generally as highly flavored as that 
which ripens in the open air ; consequently only that of 
the best quality should be used, provided flavor is an 
object. 

Trollope's Victoria is a fine show fruit, and produces 
well when forced, but it is usually insipid. 

Austin or Shaker, is equal if not superior to the last, 
but with the same defect, although not to such an extent. 
Its fine color and large size are very much in its favor, 
and it usually commands a large price in market. 

The British Queen is the most popular variety in Eng- 



76 SMALL FRUIT CULTFRIST. 

land for forcing, and it would probably be worthy of trial 
here, although it does not succeed very well in the open 
air. 

Among our native varieties we have probably no better 
variety for forcing, taking flavor and productiveness into 
consideration, than the Boston Pine. The monthly Al- 
pines do exceedingly well, and the fruit is usually con- 
siderably larger than when grown in the open ground. 

THINNING THE FRUIT. 

It is sometimes necessary to take off a portion of the 
fruit from forced plants. This should be done as soon as 
it has set, thereby giving that which remains a better 
chance for full development. Numbers do not always in- 
dicate quantity, and, with ten to fifteen berries upon each 
plant, as many quarts will usually be obtained from 
a given space as with twnce as many to each. 

Plants that are not over-cropped at first, may often be 
made to produce a second crop by giving stimulating 
manure soon after the first is gathered. 

One crop, however, is all that is usually expected with 
those which do not produce any more naturally. 

HYBRIDIZING AND CROSSING. 

The Strawberry may be hybridized or crossed as readily 
as other fruits, but this having already been done to such 
an extent between the F. Virglniana and F. grandiflora, 
the results of special effort in the same direction will be 
very uncertain, especially if we use the varieties under 
cultivation for that purpose. 

These being in many instances a mixture of two species, 
it becomes a difficult matter to determine whether the 
cause which produced certain results originated with us, 
or was the effect of some previous operation which had 
just made itself apparent in the seedlings. 



STEAWBEKRY. 77 

In other words, liybi'idizing hybrids is only the mixing 
together of two comj)ounds — the exact proportions of 
neither being known. 

The pistillate varieties are always fertilized by other 
kinds ; their seeds are imjjregnated by whatever kind 
produces the pollen ; consequently the plants grown from 
them are natural crosses between the two or more, as the 
case be. 

It is very doubtful if any dependence can be placed 
upon the results of artificial crossing between any of the 
varieties of the two species named ; still, it may be worthy 
of trial. All that is required is to fertilize the pistils of 
one variety with the pollen from another. 

For instance, if we select the Wilson's Albany for the 
parent from which we wish to j)rocure seeds, when the 
flowers first oj^en, we take a pair of small scissors and cut 
off the stamens, being careful to remove every one. It 
is best to do this early in the morning before the petals 
have fully expanded ; then set a bell-glass or a fine wire 
sci'een over the entire plant, so that insects, which go 
from flower to flower with pollen adhering to them, shall 
not fertilize the plant upon which we are operating and 
thereby defeat our object. In three or four hours after the 
stamens have been removed, the pistils will probably be 
sufficiently developed to receive the pollen, at which time 
cut a fully expanded flower from the variety that has been 
selected for the other parent, and apply its stamens to the 
pistils of the Wilson's Albany. The stamens may be cut 
off and alloAved to drop on to the pistils or merely brushed 
over them. Three or four flowers are sufficient, and all 
that it is safe to undertake to operate upon on a single 
plant ; all others should be removed before they open. 

Each flower must have its stamens removed and its pis- 
tils fertilized in the same manner ; and as they will proba- 
bly not all open hi one day, they must be attended to suc- 
cessively as they bloom. 



78 SMALL FKUIT CULTURIST. 

Mark the plants, and keep tlie screen or bell-glass over 
them for two or three clays. When the seeds are ripe, 
save and plant as I have already directed. 

There are a few Strawberry growers who place great 
reliance upon their particular efforts in crossing, and when- 
ever they produce a new variety it is always (if we believe 
their assertions) a cross or hybrid between some two re- 
markable varieties or species. But to show how exceed- 
ingly difficult it is to know positively whether a seedling 
is a cross between the two varieties u^^on which we have 
experimented, or the result of some previous one, let us 
suppose a case. 

For instance, we will take Hovey's Seedling and fertil- 
ize it with the Wilson, and from the seed of the former 
raise a variety that shall resemble the latter more than it 
does the Hovey — would this be positive proof that the 
seedling Avas the result of our especial effort ? Not at all, 
because similar varieties may be and are produced from 
the Hovey without artificially fertilizing its flowers from 
the Wilson or any similar variety. 

And further, tlie Wilson is probably a seedling of tlie 
Hovey, and it possesses naturally the same inherent char- 
acteristics which only require an ojDportunity, which seed- 
lings afford, to show themselves. 

Direct efforts to improve are commendable, but the 
causes of results are not always what are supposed, and 
assertions are not to be implicitly relied upon. The in- 
fluence that one variety has upon another by fertilizing 
is generally supposed to affect the seeds only, but from 
many experiments which I have made, I am quite certain 
that it extends further. 

Every Strawberry growler is aware of the fact that 
whenever a portion of the i:)istils are not fertilized, the 
berries will be proportionately deformed. If there are no 
seeds, then the receptacle, which we call the fruit, is abor- 
tive. But if we are to suppose that the influence of the 



STRAWBERRY. 79 

pollen extends no further than the seeds, why does not 
the fruit enlarge and come to maturity without seeds, as 
we see in other fruits, particularly those which produce 
their seeds within a fleshy recei^tacle, as the grape, ap- 
ple, &c. 

With corn, we can see the effects of cross-fertilization 
in the color of the grains the first season, also upon the 
receptacle (cob) ; thus, in this instance, showing con- 
clusively that the eifect is apparent the first season upon 
the seed as well as beyond. 

It is quite probable that impregnation afiects the whole 
plant, but not to an extent worthy of any particular at- 
tention. Still, from personal observations upon this point, 
I am well satisfied that principles similar to those which 
govern the animal kingdom are potent in the vegetable. 
Because they are not so readily observed is no reason for 
disputing their efiect. 

The most careful experimenter or observer is generally 
less positive in his assertions than the more careless, be- 
cause by thorough study he learns that although cause 
and efiect are linked together, the connecting chain is of- 
ten not only hidden, but has so many ramifications that 
each cannot be traced with any degree of certainty. 

In giving nanies to new varieties errors are occasionally 
made — sometimes purposely, and with intent to deceive, 
but let us hope more often carelessly or through ignorance. 
Many of my readers may remember the advent of 
Peabody's Ilautbois Strawberry. 

The originator claimed that it was a cross between the 
Ross and Phoenix and the wild Straw^berry of Alabama, 
neither of w^hich belong to the Hautbois species ; conse- 
quently it was a deception to call the new seedling a 
Hautbois, although the originator had, according to cus- 
tom, a right to give it w^hatever name he pleased. 

Many other so-called Hautbois Strawberries have been 
as far from what their name implies as the Peabody, and 



80 SMALL FETJIT CULTUKIST. 

may have been aiDplied through ignorance or design. It 
is very doubtful if there have ever been any true hybrids 
produced between the Hautbois, or the Alpine, and other 
species. Some fifty years ago, a Mr. Wilhams, of Pitmas- 
ton, in England, claimed to have produced a hybrid be- 
tween the Hautbois and Alpine, which gave fruit without 
seed, but nothing more was heard of it beyond the an- 
nouncement of its jDroduction. 

Whether hybrids between the Alpines and Hautbois, 
or these and other species, have ever been j^roduced is un- 
certain ; yet I think it possible and worthy of trial. 

WINTER PROTECTION. 

In many portions of the country a winter protection to 
Stra'wberry plants is very beneficial, if not positively ne- 
cessary. Some of our most successful growers in the 
Northern States never fail to protect their plants, and 
without doubt they are amply repaid for the expense in- 
curred. For my own part I never have had a full crop 
without giving protection, and never expect one., 

There can scarcely be a doubt that the great success of 
some cultivators, with particular kinds, is owing, in a 
great measure, if not entirely, to the wii:^er protection of 
the plants. 

The embryo fruit buds are formed within the crown of 
the plant in autumn, and therefore it must be apparent 
that sudden transition from heat to severe cold will very 
much weaken if not wholly destroy them. 

In sections of the country where the plants are covered 
with snow during the entire winter, other protection is not 
so important as where thei*e is little snow, but continued 
freezing and thawing. It is not expected nor is it desira- 
ble to protect the plants so that they shall not be frozen, 
but merely to shade them, and prevent their being aifect- 
ed by every little change in the weather. 

A covering of straw, hay, leaves, or any similar mate- 



STRAWBERRY. 81 

rial, to the depth of one or two inches will usually be 
sufficient. 

Every one ought to know, if he does not, that frozen 
plants thawed out in the shade are less injured by frost 
than when fully expensed to the light ; and this is another 
reason why Strawberry plants should be covered in win- 
ter, because, if the weather should be very changeable, 
they will be less liable to injury than when fully exposed 
to light. 

Protection is sometimes objected to, because it is said 
to retard the blooming of the plants, and the crop will be 
later in ripening. This may be true to a certain extent, 
but I have always thought that protected plants came for- 
ward more rapidly, when they did start, than the unpro- 
tected ones. The lost time may not be fully made up, 
but there will be but a very slight diiFerence. 

In some sections of the country, retarding the time of 
blooming would be very advantageous, as by this means 
the injury from late spring frosts would be avoided. The 
benefit of having late blooming kinds was quite apparent 
the past season, (1866), when a late frost was very de- 
structive through a great portion of the Northern and 
Middle States ; and the reports of the Strawberry crop 
furnished some amusing illustrations of the careless man- 
mer in which some cultivators arrive at conclusions. The 
early blooming varieties came in for all the censure, while 
the late bloomers, which escaped the frost, received all 
the praise ; and still, with this very potent fact before 
him, scarcely a fruit grower, in making up his report of 
success or foilure, alluded to the time of the blooming of 
the variety cultivated. The varieties of F. grandiflora 
in particular, require winter protection to insure a full 
crop. The large, prominent crowns of these varieties are 
more liable to injury than the smaller and more compact 
ones of those of other species. When the plants are grown 

in beds, then a portion of the material used for protection 
4* 



82 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 

should be removed in spring, leaving about half an inch in 
depth, allowing the plants to grow through it, thereby 
aflbrding a mulching that will keep the fruit clean as well 
as shading the ground. 

Saw-dust and tan-bark are soraetiAes used for mulching, 
but there is usually so much fine dust among them that the 
fruit will become more or less s^^lashed during heavy rains. 

Spent hops from a brewery is a most excellent material 
for mulching the Strawberry ; besides, few insects will 
attack the plants or fruit where it is used. The young 
runners strike root very readily in spent hops, showing 
that it is an excellent fertilizer. Fallen pine leaves are 
found to be very good, as they keep the fruit clean, while 
at the same time they will have decayed so much as to 
interfere but very little with the growth of the plants. 
Some have suggested that the peculiar flavor of the 
Pine varieties is imparted to others by the use of this 
kind of mulching, but this is probably more in imagina- 
tion than in reality. 

Salt meadow and bog hay are excellent for a mulch, as 
also is straw or corn stalks cut fine. 

When the' plants are cultivated in rows, the mulching 
should only be removed from the crowns of the jjlants, 
and the entire amount allowed to remain on the ground 
between the rows. 

Another method of protecting the plants is to cover 
them with soih This is done by passing the plow along 
each side of the row, turning the soil on the plants in 
the fall, and then removing it again in the spring. This 
plan might answer in light soils, but then a mulching 
would be still needed in summer to keej) the fruit clean. 
This method has been practiced in a few places, but with 
what success I am xmable to state. 



STUAWBEraiY. 



83 



DISEASES AND INSECTS. 

The Strawbeny is peculiarly exempt from disease, 
there being none Avhich affects it to any considerable extent. 
Sometimes a sudden change of weather will cause the 
flowers to blight, and no fruit will be produced ; but this 
cannot be classed as a disease, but merely as an accidental 
cause of failure. In warm, wet weather, the fruit and 
leaf-stalks will be affected by mildew, and the leaves at- 
tacked by a kind of rust which is called in Europe Straw- 
berry brand {Aregma ohtiisatum). Mr. Cooke, in Lis late 
work on Microscopic Fvmgi, has given a description and 
highly magnified illustration of this species, which we 

quote, figure 24. The 
spores are produced in 
clusters on the upper side 
of the leaves, and appear 
like minute yellow spots 
to the naked eye, but 
under a magnifying lens 
they have the form shown 

Fig. 34.— STRAWBEKRT BRAND. •„ -i ^ „i •^■, . , • 

^ m the above illustration. 

As this fungus makes its appearance late in the season 
it causes but very little injury. 

Insects are more injurious to the Strawberry than any 
disease that has yet appeared. 

The most destructive of these is probably the larva 
of the common May Beetle, formerly called Melolontha, 
but now placed in the genus Lach7iosterna. The grub 
(larva), when fully grown, is about an inch and a half 
long, and three-eighths thick, nearly white, with a brown 
head, and commonly called the White Grub. 

These grubs are usually more numerous in old dry 
pastures and meadows than elsewhere, because their prin- 
cipal food is the roots of different kinds of grass. The old 
sods afford protection against the birds and animals which 




84 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

devour them ; consequently they often become very abun- 
dant in such i^laces. If these grass lands are plowed and 
planted Avitli the Strawberry, the grubs will attack the 
roots, and, if numerous, will destroy every plant almost 
as soon as it is put in the ground. In some sections of 
the country the white grub has veiy materially checked 
the cultivation of the Strawberry, The only remedy 
with which I am acquainted is, to occupy the ground 
with some crop which requires considerable hoeing and 
cultivation, for two or three years before planting with 
the Strawberry. 

The grub is said to be three or four years in attaining 
its growth, and by continually manipulating the soil they 
are exiDOsed to the attacks of birds, and many are de- 
stroyed by crushing ; besides this, the Beetles will seldom 
deposit their eggs in freshly disturbed soil. A few 
years since I experienced considerable diificulty in 
planting a Strawberry bed upon a piece of land that had 
been an old pasture. The grubs were almost victorious 
the first two seasons ; but the third year they entirely dis- 
appeared, and I had no trouble from them thereafter. 

Mr. Harris, in his " Insects Injurious to Vegetation," 
says " that this white grub is the larva 
of the May Beetle, which is so often 
seen flying about in the evening." 

Figure 25 shows one of the beetles 
of natural size. " It is of a chestnut- 
brown color, smooth, but finely punc- Fig. 35.— mat beetle. 
tured — that is, covered with little impressed dots, as if 
l)ricked with the point of a needle, each wing-case has two 
or three slightly elevated, longitudinal lines ; the breast is 
clothed with yellowish down." The grubs are greedily 
devoured by birds ; the crow being exceedingly fond of 
them. This much abused bird will always seek them on 
recently plowed ground, where, I regret to say, many a 
crow has lost his life while devouring the White Grub; 




STRAWBERRY. 85 

he was benefiting the cultivator, who retuimed this kind- 
ness with a death-dealing bullet. From a pretty intimate 
acquaintance Avith the habits of the crow, having kept 
several tame ones, I am well satisfied that they are far 
more beneficial than injurious to the farmer. A crow will 
eat a hundred white grubs in a day, after he has had a 
breakfast of an equal number of rose bugs. I do not 
state this as an imaginary case, but as a simple fact that I 
have proved many times. From experience, I firmly 
believe that the crow is one of the most usefid birds that 
we possess, although he does a little mischief now and 
then in the way of pulling up corn. 

When domesticated he forgets those tricks of his wild 
nature, and, not being a timid bird, he is not frightened by 
hoe or spade, but when the earth is turned over he is gen- 
erally there to see and do his duty. 

The Avire worm (lulus), Avhich belongs to the Myriapoda 
or many-footed Avorms, sometimes attacks the roots of 
the StraAvberry, but I have no accounts which show 
that they have as yet been very destructive. Frequent 
plowing and thorough cultivation ai-e the most efiective 
means of destroying them. 

A few years since my Strawberry beds were attacked 
by a small, greenish-colored Avorm, somcAvhat similar in ap- 
pearance to the Rose Slug [Selandria rosea, of Harris), 
but their habits Avere quite different ; inasmuch as they 
were ahvays curled up Avhen feeding, the loAver extremity 
of the body hanging down under the leaves, Avhile with 
their fore feet they fastened themselves to the edge of the 
leaf or the hole they had made through it. 

Sometimes a dozen would be found upon a single leaf, 
each one curled up in the form of a snail shell. When the 
Avorms were extended to full length they Avere about half 
an inch long, and sixteenth of an inch in diameter ; color 
greenish- white, with a brown head. They were very 
numerous the first season, and remained some five or six 



86 SMALL FKUIT CULTUKIST. 

• 

Aveeks, and in that time they scarcely left an entire leaf 
on a half acre bed which they attacked. The next season 
I saw but few, and since that time I have never met with 
any. I have been informed that this worm, or one veiy 
similar, has lately made its appearance in Central New 
York. The scientific name of this worm I have been un- 
able to determine ; although I sent manj'' specimens to a 
noted Entomologist, I have received no information in 
return. 

The snail or slug which is so abundant and destructive 
to the Strawberry and other garden products in Europe, 
has found its way to this country, and is now quite plenti- 
ful in some gardens near New York. These snails are 
great gourmands, and will destroy the Strawberry fruit 
in quantities if they become very plentiful. Hand picking, 
or destroying them with lime, is a pretty sure way of 
getting rid of this pest. 

, The Plant Louse (Aphis), or Green Fly, as it is usually 
called, sometmies becomes quite numerous U23on the roots 
of the Strawberry, particularly when the soil is quite loose 
and open, so as to admit them readily to the roots. Upon 
these they congregate in immense numbers, sucking the 
juices of the plant, and thereby eifectuaUy checking its 
growth. A liberal application of dry ashes or refuse from 
a tobacco factory will usually destroy them. The Aphis 
also attacks the plants when grown under glass, but they 
are more readily destroyed than the Red Spider {Telaris)^ 
which insect is very destructive when numerous. 

The best preventive to the ravages of the Red Sj^ider is a 
moist atmosphei'e, but when this cannot be allowed, flour 
of sulphur should be fi'eely scattered among the plants or 
ujDon the soil near them. The fumes of melted sulphur 
■will make quick work Avith them, but it requires great 
care in its application, for should the sulphur take fire and 
burn, the fumes will destroy the plants as well. 

Birds are, in some portions of the country, very de- 



STRAWBERRY. 87 

structive to tbe Strawberry, but I forbear to suggest a. 
remedy, because there are already too many effectual 
ones in use. 

VARIETIES. 

In the following catalogue I have endeavored to give 
the names, with a concise description, of all the varieties 
now in cultivation, which are worthy of it. 

To give a full description of all known varieties would 
require quite a volume by itself, and it is very doubtful 
if, when such a list was made, any one would take the 
trouble to peruse it. It is such an easy matter to raise 
new varieties, that a few men seem to have gone into the 
business, not for the purpose of improvement, but mainly 
to see how many varieties they can produce, and so they 
name each new seedling, and give it a glowing description, 
whether it is worthy of cultivation or not. 

Now, while I would not siippress any information that 
would benefit the public, I do not feel called upon to re- 
commend or give the names of all the varieties that have 
appeared in the catalogues of some few of our Strawberry 
growers, particularly when a single one contains about 
sixty remarkable varieties claimed to have been produced 
by the proprietor of one establishment. 

Our enterprising fruit growers are suj^posed to know and 
procure the best varieties, and when one has been before 
the public for from five to ten years, and then it is not 
found in general cultivation, it may be safe to conclude 
that the fruit grower lacks confidence in the originator, 
and consequently does not purchase it, or that it has 
been tried and discarded. The reader, if he has followed 
me through the preceding pages, will have noticed that I 
recognize among cultivated varieties but two sexes, 
viz : Perfect or Bi-sexual, and the Pistillate varieties. 
The latter kinds are marked pistillate ; all not so designat- 
ed will bear fruit without the aid of others. 



88 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES. 

The following are varieties of F. grandiflora and F. 
Virginiana. Some of them show more of the peculiar 
characteristics of one ppecies than of the other, while 
with a few it would be difficult to tell to which they were 
related, and it is very probable that they are a mixture 
of both. They were all produced in this country, and are 
called native varieties : 

AgTicilltlirist. — Very large, irregular, conical, with long 
neck, large specimens often flattened 
or coxcomb shaped ; color light red- 
dish crimson ; flesh deep red, moder- 
ately firm, sweet, rich and good ; 
plant a very strong grower ; leaves 
large, thick, dark green, with reddish 
petiole ; hardy and productive, and 
succeeds remarkably well on light 
sandy soils, as well as on those that 
are heavy. A valuable variety. 
Fig. 26 shows a fruit of medium size 
in ordinary field culture. Originat- 
Eis-. 26.-AGRICULTURIST. ^^ ^^1^^ Scth Boyden, Newark, N". J. 
Austin or Shaker. — Large, roundish, slightly conical, 
extra large specimens often triangular or flattened, usually 
hollow; color light pale scarlet; seeds deeply imbedded; 
flesh nearly Avhite, soft, acid, not rich, with considerable 
perfume ; third rate in quality ; leaves large, pale green ; 
petioles and fruit stalk covered with long whitish hairs ; a 
vigorous grower, hardy and productive. Originated 
among the Shakers at Watervliet, N. Y. 

Albion White. — See Lennig's White. 

Boston Pine. {Bartlett.) — Medium to large, obtuse- 
coniejil ; color light crimson ; flesh but slightly colored, 
firm, sweet, most excellent ; fruit stalks very long ; plant 




STKAWBEREY. 



89 



vigorous and productive ; a fine market variety ; ripens 
early ; succeeds in both light and heavy soils, and is very 
hardy. Originated with C. M. Hovey, Boston, Mass. 

Brighton Pine. — Medium to large, roundish-conical, 
with short neck ; color light crimson ; flesh rather soft, 
sweet and juicy ; jilant strong, vigorous, and moderately 
productive ; early. Originated with Mr. T. Scott, of 
Brighton, Mass. 

Burr's iVew Pine. — Medium, regular, roundish-conical; 
color deep scarlet in the sun, but pale in the shade ; flesh 
soft, very juicy, sweet, and highly perfumed ; very early, 
but too soft to bear handling ; pistillate. Very little cul- 
tivated at the present time. Originated with Mr. Burr, 
Columbus, Ohio. 

Buifalo. — See McAvoy's Superior. 

Brooklyn Scarlet.— Medium 
to large, regular, conical, with 
neck ; color bright scarlet ; flesh 
rather soft, sweet and rich ; 
quality best ; plant a dwarf 
grower, producing very large 
stools, hardy, vigorous and pro- 
ductive ; one of the best for 
home use. Figure 27 shows a 
berry of average size when the 
plants are grown in good soil. 
Originated with A. S. Fuller, in 
1859, from seed of Peabody 
Seedling. One of the three New 
York Tribune jorize varieties. 

Brook's Prolific. — See Iowa. 

Baltimore Scarlet. — See Scotch Runner. 

Chorlton's Prolific. — Said to be a seedling of the Iowa, 
but the difference is so slight, if there is any, that I have 
not been able to detect it. Early. 




27. — BROOKLYN SCARLET. . 



90 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

Col. Ellsworth. — Very large, irregular, conical, with 
long neck ; color dark scarlet, fading to a dull crimson ; 
flesh firm and rather dry, hut sweet, not rich ; the fruit 
stalks longer than the leaves, very large and stoxTt ; plant 
a moderate grower, and very productive. It has not 
proved as valuable as it was at first sui^posed that it 
woitld. The plants ai:>pear not to be sufficiently robust? 
and burn on warm soils. Early. Originated in my 
grounds at Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Crimson Favorite. — Large, obtuse-conical ; color dark 
shining crimson ; flesh flrm, of a rich sprightly flavor. 
This variety I produced from the Wilson, and the fruit re- 
sembles its parent, but the foliage is quite distinct. It 
was awarded the first prize for flavor at the Great Straw- 
berry Exhibition, at the rooms of the American Agricul- 
turist in 1863. But it has proved to be so unproduc- 
tive with me that I hardly consider it worthy of culti- 
vation. 

Crimson Cone. {Pine Ajyple, Scotch liunner, &c.) — 
Medium, regular, conical, with long neck ; seeds deeply 
imbedded ; color light, bright crimson ; flesh firm, sprightly 
acid, with a rich flavor, and highly per- 
fumed. Figure 28 shows a fruit of the 
usual size. One of the best Strawberries 
in cultivation, although too small and 
acid to suit some people. This is one of 
the old market kinds, and there are 
probably more acres of it in cultivation, 
for furnishing the New Fork market, 
than of all others put together. The 
Fio- 28 -^iMsoN flowers are perfect, and not pistillate, as 
CONE. has often been asserted. There is, how- 

ever, another variety which is generally found mixed with 
it, and also called Scotch Runner, which has pistillate 
flowers. The latter variety is the true Scotch Riumer, 
for which see description. 




STRAWBEEEY. 



91 



Chiliilll. {Pyramidal Chilian^ or N'ewlavd.) — Me- 
dium, conical, bright crimson, acitl, but good flavor ; 
plant hardy and productive ; of no great value. Origin- 
ated in ISTew Jersey, with Mr. Newland. 

Cutter's Seedling. {Bwice.) — Small to medium, coni- 
cal, with short nock; color bright scarlet; moderately 
firm, si)riglitly and good ; very early, but not sufficiently 
productive, or large enough to be of any particular value, 
at least while wc have so many that are far better. 
Originated in Massachusetts, with Mr. Cutter. 

Durand's Seedling. — Large, oblong or oblong-conical, 
sometimes flattened ; seeds but slightly sunken ; color 
scarlet ; flesh firm, solid, nearly white, of good flavor. 
IsTew, not thoroughly tested, but promises to be a valua- 





Fig. 29.— DUKAND. Fig. 30.— dukand. 

ble variety for market. Originated with Mr. Durand 
near Newark, N. J. Figures 29 and 30 give a fiir repre- 
sentation of two of the berries, showing its variableness 
in form. 

Downer's Prolific. — Medium to large, globular, light 
scarlet ; seeds deeply imbedded ; flesh rather soft, acid, 
not i"ich, but highly perfumed ; very early, hardy, and 
Avonderfully prolific. An excellent market variety, pro- 



92 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

vided the market is near by. Originated with J. S. 
Downer, Elkton, Kentucky. 

Diadem. — Large, globular, light scarlet; seeds deeply 
imbedded ; flesh soft, acid, but agreeable flavor ; a strong 
and vigoi'ous grower of the western type. Pistillate. 
Originated with W. R. Prince, Flushing, N. Y. 

Eniily,-=— A new variety raised by Prof Huntsman, 
Flushing, N. Y. Said to be very large, and of excellent 
flavor. 

Early Scarlett — Medium, conical, light scarlet; flesh 
firm, moderately acid. An old variety, but little cultivated 
at the jjresent time. 

Eclipse. — Small to medium, conical, light bright crim- 
son ; the fruit stalks very strong, erect, even when loaded 
with fruit ; flavor good, but not rich ; ripens early, and 
the fruit all matures Avithin a few days after the first is 
ripe. In fact the entire crop may be gathered in two or 
thr<3ei)ickings. Pistillate. Originated with W. R. Prince. 

Fillmore. — Large, obtuse-conical, dai'k crimson, sweet, 
moderately rich and good. In deep, rich soils this variety 
produces a fair crop, but it is not generally popular among 
fruit growers. Pistillate. Originated with Samuel Feast, 
Baltimore, Md. 

Faulkner's King. — See Ripawara. 

French's Seedling. — Large, deep scarlet, slightly coni- 
cal, soft, sweet, but sprightly flavor, good ; leaves medi- 
um size, deep green ; fruit stalks with numerous light 
colored hairs. A productive and valuable variety, but too 
soft to transport a long distance. Early. Found by Mr. 
Lewis French growing wild in a meadow near Moores- 
town, New Jersey. 

Georgia Mammoth. — Medium or small, obtuse-conical, 
dark crimson when fully ripe ; seeds deeply imbedded ; 
flesh very firm, acid, not rich ; ripens very late, and this 



STRA'VA^BEERV. 



93 



is its only valuable quality ; jilaiit a vigorous grower, and 
one of the Iowa class. 

General Mctlellan. — See McAvoy's Superior. 

Golden Queeni — This is said to he a new variety, which 
originated near Rochester, N. Y. But from the appear- 
ance of the plants, and the testimony of some of the best 
horticulturists of Rochester, I do not hesitate to say that 
it is the Trollojie's Victoria, an old English variety long 
known in this country. 

Great Eastern. — Medium to large, long, conical, light 
crimson, firm, acid, not rich, moderately productive. The 
plants making large stools, and producing but few runners. 
A very good market variety. 

Green Prolific. {Newark Prolific^ — Very large, round, 
pale crimson or deep scarlet ; seeds 
slightly sunken ; rather soft, very 
acid, witliout richness, and of in- 
ferior flavor ; fruit stalks long and 
stout ; leaves very large and thick ; 
one of tlie Iowa class; vigorous 
and productive. Originated with 
Seth Boyden, 
Newark, IST. 

Fi^. 31. — GREEN PROLIFIC. J, Fi"". 31 

shows a berry of the average size 
under good culture. 

Golden Seeded. — Medium to large, 
bluntly-conical, sometimes flattened, 
dark crimson, with prominent yellow 
seeds, sweet and rich, early, but does 
not succeed except in a few localities 
and soils. It is probably a seedling 
of a foreign variety. Originated in ^'ig- 33.-goli>en seeded. 
Canada with Mr. Read. Figure 32 shows the form and 
size of a medium sized specimen. 





94 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

Hoyeyt {Gennantoum, Young'' s Seedling.) — Large, 
conical, bright crimson, handsome, sub-acid, sprightly, 
good. An old and much esteemed variety, and largely cul- 
tivated for supplying the Boston Market. Pistillate. 
Originated with C, M. Ilovey, of Boston, Mass., nearly 
forty years ago. 

Hooker. — Large, short, obtuse-conical, nearly globular, 
dark crimson, very sweet and rich; too soft and dark 
colored for market, but a fine variety for the amateur. 
The plants are a little tender, and should always be pro- 
tected in winter to insure a good crop. Originated with 
H. E. Hooker, Rochester, N. Y. 

Iowa. {Washington.) — Large, globular, somewhat 
compressed ; seeds deej^ly imbedded in a wide cavity, 
light orange scarlet, acid, inferior flavor, very early, pro- 
ductive and hardy. This variety was formerly extensively 
grown about Cincinnati, under the name of Washington. 

Ma. — Large, slightly conical ; color bright scarlet ; 
rather acid, but good; hardy and productive. Has been 
but little disseminated, but promises to be an excellent 
market variety. Pistillate, Originated with E. H. Coxjklin, 
Shepherdstown, Pa. 

Ladies' Pine. — Small to medium, round, pale orange, 
scarlet, with a slight crimson tint in the sun ; seeds rather 
prominent ; flesh soft, sweet and rich, highly perfumed, 
probably the most delicious flavored variety known. Re- 
quires extra culture, and even then it is not very produc- 
tive ; nevertheless it is well worthy of a place in the most 
select collection. Pistillate. Originated in Canada, with 
Mr. Read. 

Le Baron. — Medium to large, obtuse-conical, dark red ; 
flesh soft, sweet, and high flavored, not very productive, 
but a vigoi'ous groAver, and very hardy. Raised by Mr. 
Prince from the old Swainstone. Pistillate. 



STKAWBEKEY. 



95 



Lady Fill£CCr« — Medium, elongated, conical ; color bril- 
liant dark scarlet ; seeds set in a deep open cavity ; flesh 
very firm, sub-acid, good ; plant hardy, vigorous and jjro- 
lific. An excellent market variety. Orif^inated with the 





LADY FINGER. 



Fig-. o4. — LADY FINGER. 



late Benjamin Prosser, Burlington, Xew Jersey. Figure 

33 shows a berry of this variety of medium size, and figure 

34 one of the largest. 

LongWOrtll's Proline, — ^I^argc, roundish, oval or oblate, 
light crimson, sprightly sub-acid, and good ; plant vigor- 
ous and productive. An old variety but little cultivated, 
although it is far superior to many new ones. Originated 
in the garden of the late Nicholas Longworth, of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. 

Lcnnig's White, {Albion White, White Pine Apple.) 
— Large, obtuse-conical ; seeds prominent, and of a pink 
or light crimson color ; fruit almost white, but with a deli- 
cate blush when exposed to the sun; flesh pure white, 
melting, rich and sweet ; j)lant a vigorous grower, and 
moderately productive. This is evidently a seedling of 
Fragaria grandiflora, but one of the most hardy and 
productive, and, without doubt, the best white variety 
known in this country. It has been disseminated under 



96 



SMAIX FKUIT CULTURIST. 



several names, either throiigli mistake or design. I re- 
ceived it mider the three different names, and being culti- 
vated in separate beils, I, like many others, thought that 
they were distinct, imtil beds were prepared in a similar 
soil, and the same cultivation given to each, after which 
no difierence could be discovered. I have since learned 
through Mr. Meehan, editor of the Gardener's Monthly, 
that the supposed three varieties were all taken from the 
garden of the originator, Mr. Leimig, of Germantown, Pa. 

Metcalf S Early. — A new variety that originated at 
Niles, Michigan. It has not been fruited at the East, and 
nothing is known of it except from the many very vague 
descriptions that have appeared in western papers and in 
nurserymen's catalogues. It is very strange that those 
who lavish such unlimited praise upon a new fruit do not 
inform the public in Avhat particular it differs from old and 
well known varieties; color, size, form, and how mucli 
earlier than other varieties, are points which have not been 
given by those who pretend to know aU about this variety. 

Mead's Secdlins^. — Medium to 
large, conical, often flattened ; seeds 
very prominent ; light bright scar- 
let ; very firm, quite acid, and not 
high flavored ; moderately produc- 
tive. Pistillate. Originated with 
Peter B. Mead about ten years ago, 
but has been but little disseminated. 
Figure 35 shows one of the berries 
of average size. 

McAvoy'S Superior. — Large, ir- 
regular, roimdish, the surface being 
uneven, with prominent projections ; 
color varying from light to very dark crimson ; the flesh be- 
ing dark red, soft, sweet, variable, in some soils rich and 
sprightly, in others insipid ; vigorous, and usually very 




-mead's seed- 
ling. 



STKAWBERRY. 



9^ 



productive. Pistillate. The originator of this variety 
Avas awarded a $100 prize by the Cincinnati Horticultural 
Society, about fifteen years ago, and since that time it 
has been brought forward by others as a new seedlinrr 
of their own. Francis Brill, of Newark, N. J,, exhibited 
it at the Brooklyn Horticultural Society as a new seedlin<r, 
and Avas awarded a ijremium of ten dollars for the best 
new one of the season. , He named it General McClellan. 
Abner Bryant, of Buifalo, N". Y., a few years since, offered 
a wonderful new seedling under the name of Buffalo. It 
was largely disseminated; but this, like the McClellan, 
proved to be the old McAvoy's Superior. 

Monitor.- — Large, roundish, conical, with long neck; 
color bright scarlet ; flesh very solid and firm, sub-acid, 
not rich, but highly perfumed ; vigorous and productive. 
A good market variety. One of the 
Tribune prize varieties. Raised from 
seed of the Peabody by A. S. Fuller. 

IVew Jersey Scarlet, — Medium, 
conical, light bright scarlet, with long 
neck, moderately firm, sj^rightly flavor, 
and good ; very early and productive ; 
the plant a strong and vigorous grower. 
Succeeds admirably on the light sandy 
soils of New Jersey. An excellent 
market variety. See figure 3G for size 
and form. Origmated near Burling- 
ton, New Jersey. 




36. — NEW JERSEY 
SCARLET. 



Old John Brown. — Very large, broadly conic, pointed, 
light crimson, sweet, sprightly and good. A new and 
promising variety. Originated with Dr. H. Schroeder, 
Bloomington, Illinois. 

Perry's Seedling. — Medium to large, globular, with a 
5 




98 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 

slight neck; color bright crimson ; sweet, rich and sj)right- 
ly. A new and jDroniising variety. 
Raised by Geo. Perry & Sons, 
Georgetown, Conn. See figure 37. 

Ripawam. {Faulkner'' s King.) — 
Very large, coxcomb shape, light 
scarlet, firm, crisp flesh, sub-acid, 
and inferior flavor, vigorous and 
moderately productive. Its large 
size is its principal recommendation. 
Originated with J. W. Faulkner, 
Stafford, Conn. Fig. 37.— pekrt's seedling. 

Russell's Prolific • — Yery large, irregular, roundish- 
conical, with neck, deep crimson, moderately firm, sweet 
and perfumed ; quality good, in sandy soils very good ; 
the flesh is lighter colored than the skin ; leaves large, with 
wavy iipper surface ; lobes broadly ovate. This variety 
and the McAvoy's Superior or Buflalo are said to be 
the same by a few growers. But this is a mistake. Al- 
though the fruit has a general resemblance, that of the Rus- 
sell will average much larger ; the seeds are more scattered, 
and not so deeply set as in the McAvoy's. The leaves and 
general appearance of the plant arc quite distinct. The 
leaves of the Russell are light colored, the upjser sui'- 
face wavy, and the lobes broad ; while the leaves of the 
McAvoy are darker colored, lobes longer, the upper sur- 
face not wavy, but shining. The Russell is also a much 
coarser and stronger grower, and a better berry in every 
respect. There is much confusion and difierence of opinion 
in regard to these varieties, but I am quite certain that the 
Russell and McAvoy's Superior are very distinct in the 
general apj^earance of the plant, and much more so than 
many other varieties that might be named. Pistillate. 
Originated with H. Russell, of Seneca Falls, New York, in 
1856. 



I 




/ 

STRAWBEKRY. 99 

Scotch Runner. — Small, oval, bright scarlet, good 
flavor. Largely cultivated for market in New Jersey, but 
should have been discarded long ago, and its place filled 
by larger and better varieties. Pistillate. 
Figure 38 shows one of the berries of 
full size. 

Scott's Seedling. {Scarlet Eunner.) — 
Medium, elongated conical, bright light 
scarlet, very handsome, sweet, rather dry, 
not high flavored, but good ; plants 
moderately vigorous and i^roductive. An 
old variety, but little cultivated at pres- 
Fio-. 38.— SCOTCH ent ; yet it is one of the most beautiful 
RUNNER. varieties we possess. Requires good cul- 

ture, and with it will yield an abundant crop. Originated 
about twenty years ago with J. Scott, of Brighton, Mass. 

Scarlet Magnate. — Large, rounded, compressed, bright 
scarlet, moderately firm ; flesh white, rather dry, sub-acid, 
not rich or high flavored ; a vigorous grower, and quite 
productive. Pistillate. A good market variety. Origin- 
ated with W. R. Pi'ince. 

Stinger's Seedling. — A new variety ; said to be a seed- 
ling of the Triomphe de Gand, and to be very promising. 
Originated with Wm. 11. Stinger, near Gray's Ferry, Phila- 
delphia, Pa. Called " Union " when first exhibited. 

White Pine Apple. — See Lennig's White. 

Wilson's Albany. — Large, irregulai-, conical, dark crim- 
son, very acid, but good ; flesh firm, and bears transporta- 
tion well. One of the most productive varieties known. 
The plants will usually fail after producing one full crop, 
aud the beds should be frequently renewed. This variety 
has probably done more towards advancing Strawberry 
culture m this country than any other variety that has ap- 
peared since the Hovey. Originated with John Wilson, 
Albany, New York. 



100 SMA.LL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

ADDITIONAL LIST. 

There are probably a few among the following varieties 
that are equal in many respects to those already described. 
But as they do not appear at the present time to have any 
extended reputation for excellence, we must conclude that 
they do not jjossess sufficient good qualities to make them 
generally poj)ular. 

I have personally tested the greater portion of them, and 
do not consider them worthy of an extended description 
or recommendation ; especially when we have so many 
varieties which are far better. 

Still, I do not feel called upon to make up a rejected list 
of my own, because no one individual is competent to de- 
cide as to what varieties are best adapted to the various 
soils or sections of the country. 

The originators of some of the following kinds may feel 
ao;grieved because their seedlings are placed in this list ; 
yet, as these vai'ieties have been placed prominently before 
the public for many years, it; is reasonable to conclude that 
they are wanting in good qualities, or that the fruit grow- 
ers have but little confidence in the assertions of the origina- 
toi-s. Be this as it may, it is not to be supposed that 
our wide awake and intelligent fruit growers would allow 
such valuable varieties, as some of the following kinds are 
said to be (by the originators), to remain in almost total 
obscurity if they did possess any considerable merit. 

These remarks apply only to a few of the newer varie- 
ties that bave been brought forward in the last ten years, 
because there are some that have been widely disseminated 
and highly appreciated for a time, but were afterwards 
thrown out to give room for those that were better. 

It is quite probable that some of those that have been 
discarded will again be brought forward, and under new 
systems of cultivation prove to be worthy of greater com- 
mendation than they have heretofore received. 



STKAWBEERY. 



101 



I have appended a brief notice of the faults as Avell as 
of the good qualities of each kind. There are also a feu- 
new ones among them ; the merits of which are not fully 
known. These are noted as new. 

The first forty-six varieties are claimed to be seedlings 
grown by Wm. R. Prince, of Flushing, N". Y. About 
forty of them have been offered to the public for the past 
six to fifteen years. I give their names Avithout comment. 
Those marked P. are pistillate varieties : 



Adonis, P. 
Ariadne, P. 
Berenice, P. 
Cornucopia, P. 
Diadem, P. 
Estelle, 
Excelsa, P. 
Eureka, P. 
Florence, P. 
Fortunatus, P. 
Fragrant Scarlet, 
Globose Scarlet, P. 
Heroine, 

Imperial Scarlet, P. 
Iphigene, 
Lawrencia, P. 
Le Baron, P. 
Ladies' Favorite, 
Ladies' Aromatic, P. 
Large Climax, P. 
Minerva, P. 
Melanie, P. 



Ophelia, 

Perfumed Pine, 

Priscilla, 

Paulinus, P. 

Primate, P. 

Prince's Late Globose, P. 

Prince's Scarlet CUmax, P. 

Prince's Excelsior, P. 

Scarlet Prolific, 

Sirius, 

Superlative, P. 

Suprema, P. 

Supreme Staminate, 

Sapho, 

Seraphine, P. 

Scarlet Prize, P. 

Trevirana, P. 

Triumph, 

Triumvirate, 

Valencia, 

Victorine, 

Waverly, 

Welcome. 



Nathalie, 

American Queeili {Huntsman.) — Large, bright scarlet. 

Pistillate. 

Byberry. — New; but little known. 



102 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

Boydcn's Mammoth. {Seth Boyden.) — Very similar 
to, if not identical with Trollope's Victoria. 

Baltimore Scarlet or Scarlet Runner. — Pistillate. 
Brook's Prolific is the old Iowa or Washington. 

Barnes' Seedling. — New. Very large and handsome. 
Promises to be a valuable market variety. • 

Clinton. — A new variety. Originated near Newark, 
New Jersey. 

Dagge's Seedling. — New ; but little known. 
Fragaria lucida. — From California. Beautiful foliage, 
but unproductive. 

Faulkner's King. — See Ripawam in preceding list. 

General Scott. {Burgess.) — Large, soft ; of the Iowa 
class. 

Garibaldi. {Burgess.) — Large, crimson, excellent fla- 
vor, poor grower. 

Genesee. — Large, scarlet, rather soft, prolific. 

Huntsman's Monteriedo. — ^Large, bright scarlet, late, 
moderately productive. Pistillate. 

Jenny Lind. {Isaac Fay.) — ^Very early, bright scarlet, 
good, but too small and unproductive. 

Little Monitor. {Burgess) — Small, excellent flavor ; 
but appears not to possess sufticient merit to attract much 
attention. 

Leeds' Prolific. — Medium, light scarlet. Not fully 
tested. 

Philadelphia. — New. Much extolled by growers near 
Philadelphia, but it is scarcely known elsewhere. 

Starr's Seedling. — New ; but Httle known. 

Trembly 's Union. — Trollope's Victoria re-named, and 
awarded a premium as a new variety at a Strawberry 
show in New York. 



STRAWBERRY. 103 

Victory. — Sent out by "Wm. S. Carpenter, of New York. 
Large, light scarlet, soft and insipid. 

Ward's Favorite. {Dr. Ward.) — ^Medium, round, dark 
crimson, excellent flavor, but not sufficiently productive. 
Pistillate. 

Wallier. {Samuel Walker.) — Small to medium, conical, 
dark crimson, excellent flavor, not productive. 

FOREIGN VARIETIES. 

Every year catalogues containing the names and de- 
scriptions of new Strawberries are sent us from Europe, 
and we are invited to purchase, being promised in return 
for our money ^something better than any heretofore 
known. If a hundredth part of the improvement claimed 
had been reaUzed from year to year, we would now have 
Strawberries so much superior to those of ten years ago, 
that not one of the kinds known at that time would be 
in cultivation. But we regret that no such improvement 
has been made ; at least, if it was observable in the vari e- 
ties at home, they lost it all in theu' journey across the 
Atlantic. 

Foreign kinds at home are, no doubt, superior to our 
native ones in those countries, and the same rule holds 
good in return ; for it must be admitted that, although an 
occasional foreign variety will succeed in particular locali- 
ties and soils, there are comparatively very few baskets 
of the fruit seen m our markets ; consequently we must 
conclude that they are principally grown by amateurs or 
those who propagate the plants for sale. 

Perhaps it is dwing to the want of proper cultivation 
that the foreign kinds, as a class, have not become as pop- 
ular as their supposed merits seem to deserve ; but be this 
as it may, there are, no doubt, one hundred acres of native 
kinds in cultivation to one of the foreign. 

One very significant fact is perhaps worthy of notice 



104 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



here, and that is, iu the list of Strawberries adopted b}-, 
the American Pomological Society, in 1858, for general 
cultivation, there are no foreign varieties named, and but 
one in the Ust that promises well. 

In the reports of 18G2 and 1864 there are but five for- 
eign varieties in the list, and but two of these have any 
reputation among fruit growers who cultivate for market. 

In tlie following catalogue I have named only those of 
recent introduction, and a few of the older ones that have 
proved to be moderately well suited to our climate. The 
name of the originator, when known, is given in parenthe- 
ses. The varieties are principally from Belgium, Holland, 
France and England. All are bi-sexual or perfect flower- 
ing kinds : 

Ambrosia. {Nicholson.) — Large, roundish, dark red, 
sweet and very good, moderately vigorous and productive. 

Admiral Dlindas. {3Iyatt.) — Very large, irregular, of- 
ten flattened, pale scarlet, very juicy, and brisk flavored. 

Baron Beman de Linnicl^. {Makoy.) — Very large, 
elongated, flat- 
tened cone, light 
scarlet ; seeds 
prominent; flesh 
l^ink, solid, sweet 
and perfumed. 

Boule d'Or. 

( Boisselot. ) — 
Very large, 
roundish, flat- 
tened, figure 39 ; 
color a bright, 
glossy, orange 
scarlet ; seeds prominent ; flesh white, sweet and good ; 
plant robust and moderately productive. 

Bonte de St. Julien. {Carre.) — Medium to large, coni- 




Fii?. C9. — BOULE d'or. 



STRAAVBERRY. 105 

cal, dark crimson, sweet and good ; plant quite vigorous 
and very productive. 

Bijou. {De Jonghe.) — Fruit large, regular, bright, 
glossy red ; flesh very solid, sweet and crisj) ; plant a 
very dwarf grower, and with nie very unproductive. 

Bicolor. {De Jonghe.) — Medium, conical, light crim- 
son, sweet and good. A poor grower. 

Belle de Vlbert. ( Yibert.) — Large, conical, light crim- 
son, sweet, but not rich ; flesh firm. A handsome berry ; 
succeeds poorly, except in a very few localities. 

Belle Artesienne. {Demay.) — Very large, conical, dark 
crimson, poor quality, and usually unproductive. 

Carnolia Magna. {Be Jonghe^ — ^Large, oval, bright, 
glossy Vermillion; seeds projecting; flesh solid, pink, 
often hollow at the core, juicy and sweet; productive. 

Deptford Pine. {Myatt.) — Large, pale orange scarlet, 
almost white in the shade, very sweet ; the plant a vigor- 
ous grower, but unproductive. 

Duke de Malakoff*. {Gloede.) — Very large, irregular, 
dark, dull red, poor flavor, and unj^roductive. 

Eliza. {Rivei^s.) — See rejected list. 

Emma. {De Jonghe.)— Large, obtuse-conical, bright 
scarlet, sweet and good ; plant hardy and moderately 
productive. A new variety that promises well. 

Elton Improved.— Raised at the royal garden af Frog- 
more, England. Large, conical, bright, glossy crimson; 
seeds prominent ; flesh solid, sweet, and good. 

Empress Eugenie. {Knevett.) — Very large, irregular, 
flattened, dull crimson, jjoor flavor, unproductive. 

Frogmore Late Pine. {Ingram.) — Very large, conical, 
sometimes flattened, brilliant crimson, firm flesh, and of 
good quality. A magnificent berry, but the plant burns 
badly in summer, and is unproductive. 
5* 



106 



SMALL FKUIT CULTUKIST. 



Goliath t {Kittley's^ — An old variety placed in the re- 
jected list by the American Pomological Society in 1858, 
but still praised by a few groAvers. It is worthless. 

Gwentveri (il/rs. Clements.) — Medium, roundisli or 
flattened, bright scarlet ; flesh pink, juicy and sweet ; 
vigorous, moderately productive and early. 

Haquin. {Haquin.) — Fruit large, flattened cone, bright 
red ; seeds prominent ; flesh solid, white, juicy and sweet ; 
plant hardy, requires very high culture and a moist soil 
to insure even a moderate crop. 

Hero. {De Jo)ighe.) — Large, of a regular, globular 
shape, bright red ; flesh carmine, very sweet ; early. 

Ilillman. — Medium to large, oval, bright scarlet. New ; 
from Germany ; not fully tested. 

Jucunda. {Salter.) — Large, conical, bright light crim- 
son or dark scarlet, excellent flavor ; a good grower, but 

rather tender; moderately 
j)roductive. Figure 40. This 
variety has lately been reviv- 
ed under the name of Knox's 
700, and it is said to be 
very prolific in Mr. Knox's 
grounds at Pittsburgh, Pa. 
I have cultivated it for six 
or seven years, but it has 
never proved to be any more 
productive than the mass of 
foreign kinds which I have 
tried. If it should j^rove 
valuable at the West, it will only be another instance 
among the many where the success of a variety is only 
local. 

Kate* {Mrs. Clements.) — Medium, conical, bright 
glossy red, solid, juicy, sweet, but sprightly ; very early. 




40. — JUCUNDA. 



STRAWBEEET. 107 

Kimberley Pine. {Kimberley) — Large, irregular, oval 
or flattened, bright crimson ; seeds very prominent ; flesh 
very solid, red, juicy and brisk; productive, and late in 
rij)ening. 

La Constante. {De Jonghe.) — Large, regulaz-, conical, 
bright crimson, fine flavor ; flesh firm ; ripens late. One 
,of the most beautiful Strawberries known. The plant is 
a dwarf grower, and requires a moist, rich soil, and even 
under the highest; culture it is not very productive. 

La Sultanne. {Be Jonghe.) — Large, conical, bright 
deep scarlet, of excellent flavor, but the plant a poor 
grower, and unproductive. 

Lneida Perfecta. (Gloede.) — Said to be a cross be- 
tween the British Queen and the Fragaria lueida of Cal- 
ifornia. Large, round, bright salmon color ; flesh solid, 
sweet and rich. It is worthless with me, but it is said to 
do well in some localities. 

Lorenz Booth. {De Jonghe.) — Large, oval, bright 
glossy red ; flesh dark crimson, solid, sweet, but sprightly ; 
hardy. 

Leon de Saint Laumer. {Dupuy Jamin.) — Large, 
conical, bright pale scarlet ; flesh carmine, rich, juicy and 
sweet ; moderately prolific. 

Lucas. {De Jonghe.) — Large, roundish, oval, glossy 
crimson ; flesh hard, firm and crisp ; good flavor, and a 
very good grower. 

Marguerite. {Le Breton.) — ^Yery large, long, conical, 
pale scarlet, sweet, but rather insipid. With extra culti- 
vation it is quite productive, but the plant is naturally 
feeble. A very fine show fiTiit. 

Napoleon IIL — Fruit large, of a brilliant crimson ; 
flesh firm, juicy ; jjlant vigorous. The Austin has been 
sent out from several establishments in this country under 
this name. 



108 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



Oscar. {Bradley.) — Large, slightly conical, dark crim- 
son, sweet, rich and good. A very handsonie variety, re- 
quiring extra culture. 

Prince's Frederick William. (JVivin.) — Large, round- 
ish, often flattened, light crimson, 
sweet, of fair quality, early, moderate- 
ly i^roductive ; plant quite tender. 

SouTenir de Kieff. (De Jonghe^ — 
Very large, flat cone ; seeds very pro- 
minent ; bright glossy crimson ; flesh 
solid, pale red, juicy and good. 

Sabreur. {Mrs. C/eme/ifo.)— Medi- 
um, conical (see fig. 41) ; color bright 
orange scarlet ; seeds very prominent ; 
flesh solid, white, sweet, and. of high 
flaA'or ; jiroductive. Y\%. 41.— sabreuu. 

Topsy. {Be tfonghe.) — Medium, elongated, conical, 
(see figure 42,) bright light scarlet, s-weet, sprightly and 
good; plant moderately vigorous raad productive. 




I 





Fig. 42.— TOPSY. Fig. 43.— triomphe de gand. 

Triomphe dc Gand. — Very large, irregular, conical, 



STRAWBEEEY. 



109 



but often flattened, as in figure 43, bright crimson ; flesh 
firm, crisp, not rich, rather mikl flavor. This variety has 
probably been more extensively cultivated and given bet- 
ter satisfaction than any other foreign variety ever intro- 
duced. Among the hundreds I have tried, this has pleased 
me most, because with good culture it has never failed to 
give a large crop. 

Ticomptesse Hericart de Theury. {Jamin and Du- 
rand. ) — Large, irregular, conical, sometimes flattened, 
dark scarlet or light crimson ; flesh firm, sweet, i"ich and 
excellent ; early and productive. This variety, like the 
Triomphe, has been cultivated and Avidely disseminated, 
and may be jjlaced as second to none of the foreign kinds. 

VineuSC de IVantes. (jBome^o^.)— Medium to largo, 
flattened, figure 44, bright glossy crimson ; seeds very 
l^rominent ; flesh red, solid and sweet, with a peculiar vin- 
ous flavor. 





Fig. 44. — VINETJSE DE NANTES. Fig. 45. — VICTORIA. 

Victoria! {Trollo2)e''s) — Figure 45. Very large, round- 
ish-conical, light pale scarlet ; seeds slightly imbedded, 
and set wide apart ; flesh nearly white, juicy, but not rich, 
often insipid. The productiveness of this variety is ex- 
tremely variable ; in some soils it is very prolific, while in 
others, apparently as rich, it is unproductive. It is an 



no SMALL PRUIT CULTURIST. 

old Englisli variety, discarded by nearly every cultivator 
in the country, yet it has been frequently brought out un- 
der a new name. Trembly's Union proved to be this 
variety, and was so declared by several fruit growers 
when it was first exhibited. The Golden Queen of 
Rochester, IST. Y., is also said to be the Victoria. 

I might add a hundred varieties more to this list, but it 
would be only increasing the number of names without ad- 
ding any merit, and it is very likely that before these 
pages are read by fruit growers there will be another list 
of new kinds announced. 

ALPINE STRAWBERRIES. 

Alpine Red. {American Alpine, Berancon, De Mon- 
treuil a Fniit Mouge, De Montreuil a Marteau, Fressant, 
Dent de Gheval, De Ville de Dots.) — Medium, conical; 
seeds projecting ; light crimson or dark scarlet, mild sub- 
acid, not rich, but good ; jjlant very hardy, and moder- 
ately productive. 

Alpine Red, 3Ionthly. {Autumnal Galande, Des Al- 
pes a Fruit Houge, Des Alpes de tous les Mois a Fruit 
Mouge, Des Alpes de deux Saisons a Fruit Mouge, Des 
Alpes de quatre Saisons, Alpine Mouge, Scarlet Alpine, 
Prolific Alpine, Poitou Alpine Monthly, Versailles Al- 
pine Monthly, La Mendonaise, Glory de Nancy Alpine, 
&c., &c^ — Similar to the common Red Alpine, but pro- 
duces a continuous crop throughout the entire summer. 
Requires high culture. 

Alpine White. {Alpine Blanc, De Montreuil a Fruit 
Blanc.) — Same as the first, except in color of fruit, which 
is white, and the leaves are of a lighter green, 

Alpine White, Monthly. {Alpine Blanc, Des Alpes a 
Fruit Blanc, Des Alpes de quatre Saisons, <&c.) — Same as 
the common White Alpine, except that it bears a continu- 
ous crop through the summer. 



STRAWBERET. • 111 

Bush Alpine, Red, {Wood Strawberry, Buisson a 
Fruit Rouge, Commun sans Filets, Sans Coulans Or- 
dinaire, Sans Filets' Ordinaire, De Gaillon a Fruit 
Rouge, <&c.) — Medium, roundish-ovate, sub-acid, rather 
dry, agreeable ; plant produces few or no runners ; propa- 
gated by dividing the plants. Suitable for edgings of 
walks, or cultivating in pots or in very small gardens. 

Bush Alpine, White. {JVhite Wood Strawberry, Bins- 
sons des Alpes Blanc, Buissons a Fruit Blanc, (S;c.) — 
Same as the last, except in color of fruit. There are two 
other varieties, one with red and the other with white 
fruit, similar in every respect to the above, except they 
continue in bearing all the season. 

Green Alpine. {Be Bargetnont, BresUnge d^Angle- 
terre, Caucasian, Green Pine Atopic, Green Wood, Pow- 
dered Pine, Yerte d'' Angleterre^ Frasieo" Vert, Williarn's 
Green Pine, Gilberts Barge Brown, c&c.) — This variety 
is by some supposed to be a distinct species, but the ap- 
pearance of the plant and fruit show it to be a true Al- 
pine. ' Fruit small, roundish, depressed, greenish brown ; 
flesh green, with a somewhat musky flavor. Cultivated 
more as a curiosity than for its fruit. 

One Leaved Alpine. {Fragaria monophylla.) — Leaves 
simple, not divided ; fruit same as the last. Raised in 
France in 1761 by Duchesne. Figured and described in 
Curtis' Botanical Magazine, vol. 2, 1788, plate 63. Prob- 
ably not now in cultivation. 

HAUTBOIS STRAWBERRIES. 

Belle Bordelais. — ^Roundish-oval, dark brownish pur- 
ple ; flesh white, juicy, sweet, with a strong musky flavor. 
Said to produce a second crop in autumn, but has not 
with me, although I have given it good culture for the 
past six years. 

Common Hauthois. {Fragaria elatior. Dioecious Haut- 



113 SMALL FKUIT CULTUEIST. 

hois^ Mushj Hauthois, <&c.) — Medium, roundish or ovate, 
reddish green, strong musky flavor; fruit stems project- 
ing above the leaves. Hence the name Hautboy or High- 
wood. 

There are several varieties, the difference between them 
being very slight. The most common are : 

Black Ilautbois. — Medium, ovate, dark reddish brown. 

Globe HautboiS. — Roundish ovate, reddish green. 

Long Fruited Muscatelle.— Oblong, rather small, late. 

Prolific Ilautbois. {JDouhle Bearing, Hermaphrodite, 
liegenfs Dwarf, /Sacornbe, Sir Joseph Banks, Caperon 
Royal, ct'c.) — Conical ; large for this class ; flowers quite 
large. One of the best. 

Monstrous Hautbois. — New. Said to be very large for 
one of its class. There is a variety being disseminated 
under this name, which does not belong to the Hautbois 
species. 

The Hautbois varieties are very little cultivated in this 
country, as there are very few Americans who like their 
pecuUar musky flavor. 

REJECTED VARIETIES. 

The following varieties of Strawberries were rejected 
by the American Pomological Society in 1858, It is to be 
regretted that this society has not made many more addi- 
tions to the list at its biennial sessions held since that time : 

Aberdeen Bee-hive, Burr's Ohio Mammoth, 

Alice Maud, Burr's Profusion, 

Athlete, Burr's Scioto, 

Belle de Pallua, Burr's Seedling, 

Bostock, Chester, 

Bretonneau, Cob's Prolific, 

Britannia, Compte de Flandres, 

Burr's Columbus, Compte de Paris, 

Burr's Late Prolific, Comtesse de Marne, 



STRAWBERRY. 



113 



Creinont Perpetual, 

Cuthill's Black Priuce, 

Downton, 

Due de Brabant, 

Duchesse de Trevise, 

Early May, 

Eberlin, 

Elton Pine, 

Excellent, 

French Cucumber, 

French Hautbois, 

French Musk, 

Garden of Eden, 

General Jacqueminot, 

Goliath (Kitley's), 

Honneur de Belgique, 

Hooper's Seedling, 

Ingram's Prince of Wales, 

Keen's Seedling, 

Knevet's Pine, 

La Delicieuse, 

La Liegeoise, 

La Merveille de Flandres, 

Lizzie Randolph, 

Magnum Bonum, 

Methven Scarlet, 

Myatt's Eliza, 

N'ecked Pine (Ohio), 

Nicholson's Ajax, 



Nicholson's Ruby, 

Nimrod, 

Old Pine, 

Patrick's Seedling, 

Pistillate Keen, 

Premices de Bagnolet, 

Priuce Albert, 

Prince of Orleans, 

Prince of Wales (Cuthill's), 

Princess Royal, 

Richardson's Cambridge, 

Richardson's Early, 

Richardson's Late, 

Roseberry, 

Royal Pine, 

Royal Scarlet, 

Schiller, 

Schneike's Pistillate, 

Southborousfh SeedliuQf, 

Stirling Castle, 

Surprise, 

Swainston's Seedling, 

Taylor's Seedling, 

Unique Scarlet, 

Versaillaise, 

Walworth, 

Washington, 

Wniey. 



CHAPTER III. 



RASPBEERY. 

KATURAL FAMILY ROSACEA. 

[KuBUS.— The Latin name for the Raspberry and Blackberry derived from the 
Celtic rub, red ; French name, Franiboifier ; Genuan, Hinibeeren Strauch ; Dutch, 
Fratnboos ; Italian, Sova-ideo ; Spanish, Frambueso ; tlie old English name is 
Itasjns or Ilindberry .'[ 

GENERAL CHARACTERS. 

Perennial herbs, or somewhat shrubby plants, with 
biennial woody stems ; flowers, white or red ; petals, five 
deciduous ; stamens many ; seeds collected on a spongy, 
succulent receptacle, becoming small drupes. In the Rasp- 
berry, that which is called the fruit, is a collective mass of 
drupes, which readily parts from the dry receptacle when 
ripe. 

SPECIES. 

Our native species are divided into three classes by Dr. 
Gray, as folloAvs : 

Class 1. — Leaves simple ; flowers large, prickles none ; 
fruit and receptacle flat. 

Rubus odoratus. — Purple Flowering Raspberry. — Stem 
shrubby, three to five feet high ; branches, stalks and ca- 
lyx bristly, with glandular, clammy hairs ; leaves three to 
five lobed ; the lobes pointed and minutely toothed, the 
middle one prolonged ; peduncles many flowered, purple 
rose-colored; fruit variable in size, from two or three 
114 



EASPBERRY. 115 

grains to nearly an inch in cliametei*, red, with a rather 
dry, musky flavor. Common, in most of the Northern 
States, in high rocky places. It is sometimes called Thim- 
bleberry. Mulberry, &c. 

Rubus NutkanuS, — White Flowering Raspberry. — 
Leaves almost equally five-lobed, scarcely bristly ; petals 
oval, white, very much like the last, and probably only a 
variety of H. odoratus. Northern Michigan and west- 
ward. 

Ri ChaiUcemoruSi — Cloudberry. — Herbaceous, low dioeci- 
ous ; stem simple ; two to three leaved ; one flowered ; 
leaves roundish, kidney form, somewhat five-lobed ; petals 
white ; grains few, amber color. Native of Europe, par- 
ticularly in the more northern portions, also in the high 
mountains of Maine and New Hampshire, and in the 
Canadas. 

Class 2. — Leaves compound, of 3 to 5 leaflets. Stems 
annual, herbaceous, not prickly ; fruit of a few separate 
grains. 

R« trifloruSi — Dwarf Raspberry. — Stems erect, six to 
twelve inches high or trailing; leaflets three; rhombic- 
ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute at both ends, coarsely, 
doubly ser;*ate, thin, smooth; peduncles one to three 
flowered. Woody hill sides throughout the Northern 
States. Not in cultivation, and no improved varieties 
known. 

Class 3. — Leaves as in Class 2. Stems biennial and 
woody, prickly ; receptacle oblong ; fruit hemispherical. 

R, StrigOSUS. — Wild Red Raspberry. — Stems upright, 
beset with stiflEj straight bi'istles; leaflets three to 
five, oblong, ovate, pointed, cut serrate, whitish downy 
underneath ; fruit light red, finely flavored. Common 
everywhere, and many varieties of it in cultivation. 

R. OCCidentaliSt — Black Raspberry, — Stems recurved, 
armed with hooked prickles ; leaflets three, sometimes 



116 SMALL FKUIT CTJLTURIST. 

five, ovate, pointed, coarsely serrate, whitened under- 
neath ; fruit purple or black, occasionally yellowish white. 
A variable species. 

R. Idseus. — Enroj^ean Raspberry. — Stems erect, woody, 
prickles, slender, straight ; leaves trifoliate ; leaflets ovate, 
deeply serrate, whitish tomentose beneath, green above ; 
floAvers white ; fruit red or yellowish white ; root jDerennial, 
creeping, producing numerous suckers. Common garden 
Raspberry. Native of various portions of Eurojie, and 
probably of Asia. It derived the name Idaeus from Mount 
Ida — this name being given it by the Greeks. 

There are many other species of the Raspberry, natives 
of different portions of the world. In fact, there is 
scarcely a country with Avhich we have any communi- 
cation that does not possess one or more species. Many 
of these have been introduced, but so far none have 
proved of sufficient value to be worthy of cultivation. 

The H. Japonicus^ Avhichwas disseminated a few years 
since from the experimental garden at Washington, was 
supposed at the time to be of value, but it proved to be 
too tender for oj)en air culture at the North, and we have 
no accounts of it from the South. The Salmon-berry of 
the N. W. Coast, R. macropetalus, has been introduced 
into cultivation in California, and some few plants have 
been brought East during the present winter, and we 
shall probably soon know if it be adapted to our climate. 

The M. IdcBus has given thus far all the varieties from 
abroad worthy of cultivation. But from our native spe- 
cies, JRubus strigosus and M. occidentalism a number of 
very valuable varieties have been produced. 

HISTORY. 

Pliny, the elder, who is supposed to have written his 
natural history about the year 45, mentions the Raspberry 
as one of the Avild brambles, which the Greeks called Idsea. 



EASPBEERY, 117 

Palladius, a Roman agricultural writer, who flourished 
in the foui-th century, or about fourteen liundred years 
ago, mentions the Raspberry as one of the cultivated 
fruits of his time. 

Tusser, Gerarde and Pai'kinson mention the Red Rasp- 
berry, and Miller adds the White as among the varieties 
of his time. 

But like most of the other small fruits, very little im- 
provement Avas made until witliin the past century, as the 
old gardeners depended mainly upon the wild plants, 
which they obtained from the woods of their own or 
some foreign country. 

PROPAGATION. 

By Seeds. — Growing from seed is only to be recom- 
mended for the purpose of producing new varieties. 
Gather the fruit when fully ripe, and either dry it and 
presei've the seeds in this manner until wanted for plant- 
ing, or wash the seed from the pulp and preserve in sand, 
or sow them immediately in the open ground. Raspberry 
seeds possess great vitality, and may be kept sound for 
years in any cool dry place. If sown in the fall they will 
germinate early in spring, and usually produce canes suf- 
ficiently strong to fruit the second year. If the seed is 
from a tender variety, then the young j^lants should be 
protected in winter, either by being taken up and heeled-in, 
or by bending down and covering with soil. It is usually 
better to take up the seedlings in the fall and heel them 
in imtil spring, then plant again, cutting them down close 
to the ground at the time. This will cause them to throw 
up strong canes, that Avill produce fruit the next (third) 
year in sufficient quantities to enable the grower to deter- 
mine very nearly its relative value to other kinds. 

By Roots and Root Cuttings. — A larger portion of 
the varieties of the Raspberry in cultivation produce 



118 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

suckers from the roots, or what may be properly called 
underground stems. 

There is, however, one species, and its varieties, which 
does not, as a rule, multiply in this manner, but as this is 
only a single exception, I will give the method of its prop- 
agation under the head of layers. 

Some varieties produce suckers in great abundance, 
while others do so sparingly. This manner of propagation 
being a natural one, we take advantage of it, and not only 
allow the plants to produce suckers naturally, but dig up 
the roots and cut them into small pieces, and force each to 
produce a plant, thus increasing the number many fold. 

To save repetition I will give a rule which will apply to 
all of the members of this great family of plants, whether 
it be the Rose, Raspberry, Blackberry, Apple, Pear, Plum, 
&c., i&c., and that is, any of them which naturally pro- 
duce suckers from the roots may be readily propagated 
from cuttmgs of the same. Those which produce them 
most abundantly ai'e the most readily multiplied in this 
manner. Whether it would be advisable to employ this 
means of propagation upon every variety or sj^ecies which 
is susceptible of it, is an open question, but upon the spe- 
cies now under consideration, there is scarcely a doubt of 
its utility ; therefore I will give the manner in which I 
usually propagate those varieties of Raspberi'ies which 
naturally produce suckers, as well as all of the varieties 
and species of the Blackberry. I follow the same plan 
for both, and with equally good results. 

Take up the roots when the plants have ceased growipg, 
and cut them into pieces of from one to three inches in 
length. Then prepare some boxes, by boring holes in the 
bottom to insure a good drainage, and place a layer of 
straw over the holes to prevent the soil from falling 
through ; put on an inch or two of soil, over this a layer of 
roots, then a layer of soil, and so on until the box is full. 



KASPBEREY. 



119 




Bury the boxes containing tlie roots on a dry knoll or 
slight elevation in the garden, bank them up with soil, 
and cover so deeply that the roots will not be frozen. In 

addition to this, it is 
well to cover the 
whole with boards 
to carry oiF the wa- 
ter, and if the soil is 
naturally tenacious 
and wet, a small ex- 



Fig. 46. — BOX OF CUTTINGS. 

cavation should be made at a point that will be under the 
center of the box when put in place, as shown in figure 46. 
This arrangement Avill allow any surplus moisture which 
inay accumulate in the boxes to drain ofi". Early in sj^ring, 
as soon as the weather and soil will permit, take out the 
roots and plant them in good rich soil, j^lacing the pieces 
about three or four inches aj^art, in drills, and covering 
two to four inches deep, according to the uatixre of the 
soil. If it is a heavy one, two inches will be sufiicient. 
When the plants are to be cultivated Avith the plow or 
cultivator, the drills should be three feet apart ; but the 
best method is to place them not more than eighteen 
inches or two feet apart, and cultivate entirely with the 
hoe or fork. In a naturally dry and porous soil, it is a 
good plan to cover the entire surface, at the time of plant- 
ing, with a liberal dressing of some coarse material as a 
mulch. This will insure a supply of moisture, and often 
save a large j^ortion of the cuttings, if not the entire 
stock. Cuttings made in the fall, and placed where they 
will not freeze during winter, have an advantage over 
those made in the spring, from the fact that the pecuKar 
process which always precedes the formation of roots, 
called the callus^ has sufficient time for full development 
before actual root growth commences. The new roots are 
usually emitted from the ends of the cuttings where the 
callus appears. The callus is always produced first, roots 



120 SMALL FRUIT CULTUTIIST. 

succeed it, but what relation the caUus bears to the root 
is not fully known ; it appears to hold the same relation 
to it that the cotyledons of some seeds do to the germ, 
i. e., it supplies the roots with the necessary food until 
they are able to extract it from the soil themselves. 

The buds from which the stems are produced are dis- 
tinctly adventitious, that is, they do not arise from any 
previously formed or latent bud, but are developed from 
the matter between the bark and wood. From this point 
the bud originates ; first, by a very minute aggregation 
of cells, which assumes a conical shape, pressing outward 
through the bark and up to the surface, where the leaves 
are spread out to the light and air. Sometimes several 
buds will be produced on a very small piece of root ; but 
when this occurs all will be comparatively feeble if they 
continue to grow. In a majority of such cases the 
strongest of them will take the lead and the others foil. 

Figure 47 shows a piece of root with two shoots, one of 
Avhich has reached the surface, and the leaves expanding. 
Plants grown in this manner are much better than those 
produced in the natural manner from suckers, because 
they are more abundantly supplied with fibrous roots. 
Root cuttings of from one to three inches in length, plant- 
ed in good soil, will make plants one to three feet high 
the first season. Plants may also be taken up, and the 
roots made into cuttings, in the spring, and planted in the 
same manner as described for those made in the fall. 

When the variety is very scarce, then any small roots 
may be used for propagating, but in such cases it is best 
not to attempt it in the open ground, but place them in a 
propagating house. Cut the roots into pieces of from one- 
half to one inch long, mix with sand, and place in a warm 
situation, but not in so high a temperature as to force the 
formation of buds. When the callus is formed, and buds 
begin to show themselves upon the surface, which they 
should do in four to six weeks, place them in soil com- 



RASPBERRY. 



121 



posed of equal parts of leaf mold and sand, and in a posi- 
tion where they will receive a heat of seventy-five to 
ninety degrees. 

When the plants have made a growth of four to six 
inches, they may be potted singly, or planted out into the 
open ground, provided the weather is warm and there is 
no danger of their becoming checked by cold. 




47. — ROOT CUTTING. 



Root cuttings, however, produce the very best plants, 
and the number that can be made from the roots of one 
large stool, if given proper care, is much greater than 
one would suppose who has never tried it. 

There will be occasionally a variety whose roots will 
develop buds very slowly with ordinary care, and they 
require a little forcing. With such kinds I have some- 
times found it beneficial to place the boxes of roots m a 
6 



123 



SMALL FEUIT CULTUEIST. 



■warm cellar or room, during winter, being careful not to 
keep them so wet as to cause them to rot, nor so dry that 
they will shrivel. In a warm situation, and with proper 
care in keeping them just moist and no more, both buds 
and roots are sure to be produced by planting time in 
spring. 

Layers. — Layering, as a means of propagating the 
Rasjjberry or Blackberry, is seldom practiced, neither is 
it to be recommended, except in cases of extreme scarcity. 
To succeed with this mode, the layers must be put down 




Fll^. 4S— MA.NNER OF GROWTH OF BLACK CAP. 

early in the season, so soon as the young canes are of suf- 
ficient size to be conveniently handled. A tongue should 
be made on the layer as with hard wooded plants, al- 
though with some varieties of the H. occidentalism this is 
not necessary, as every portion of the branch that is cov- 
ered will readily emit roots. Most of the varieties of this 
species grow in the form shown in figure 48. The canes 
grow veiy strong and stocky at the base, gradually becom- 
ing slender, and the ends bending down to the ground 
and taking root as shown, thus form a natural layer. 
The extreme point of the cane generally, after entering 
tlie ground, turns up, forming a large bud, from which the 
cane for the next season is produced. 



EASPBBREY. 



123 




124 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



In figure 49 is shown what may be called a well-rooted 
plant, produced from the tip of one of the canes. When 
these young plants are taken up, a foot or more of the 
cane may be left on them for convenience in handling, but 
when planted again this should be cut off close to the 
roots, and but the one bud (A.) allowed to grow. 

Occasionally more than one plant will be j^roduced upon 
a single cane, because after the extreme end of the main 
cane has taken root, one or more of the buds immediately 
above it will push into growth, and being but a few inches 
off the ground they soon reach it and become rooted, as 
shown in figure 50. Sometimes the roots will become so 
interlaced that they are separated with difficulty, although 
in the engraving they are shown with very few roots. 

If a foot or more of the cane is covered with soil, late 
in the summer, when the wood has become somewhat 
firm, roots will be emitted from every portion of it, and 
when taken up it may be separated, and each bud become 
a plant. The plants obtained in this manner are not gen- 
erally as good as those produced from the extreme tip of 
the canes. It will very often be necessary to go over the 
plantation and cover the tips of the canes to insure their 
producing roots. If the plants are grown where the wind 
is constantly moving the canes about, their tips will not 
root, because they do not remain long enough in one place 
to allow the roots to penetrate the soil. All that is neces- 
sary is to throw a small quantity of soil on to the extreme 
end of each cane. A garden trowel is a good implement 
for this purpose, putting on just soil enough to keep the 
end of the cane steady in one place, and no more. 

The time of performing this operation will vary in dif- 
ferent locations and soils. In the latitude of New York 
City, the last of August to the middle of September is 
the usual time of covering or layering the canes. But 
care should be observed in not covering too early, as well 
as deferring it until too late. 



RASPBERRY, 



125 



The canes will usually show indications of becoming 
rooted, such as a slight enlargement near the end, a ces- 




Fig. 50. — END OF STEM FORMING SEVERAL PLANTS. 

sation of growth, &c., before it is really necessary or safe 
to cover them. If covered too early, and before the canes 



126 SMALL FRUIl CULTUEIST. 

have begun to ripen, they "will rot, and no plant will be 
produced. 

The roots will continue to grow until the ground freezes, 
and if the canes are in a projjer state when covered, they 
will generally become well rooted in two or three weeks. 

It is so little trouble to cover the tips, and thereby in- 
sure their taking root, that it is seldom advisable to neg- 
lect it, if the plants are wanted. All of the tips will not 
be in the same condition at one time, so that it will be 
necessary to go over the plants at least twice, covering a 
portion each time. 

The same theory has been advanced by some cultivators 
in regard to the plants produced from the ends of the 
canes, as that which I have mentioned in a j^revious chap- 
ter, relative to the runners of the StraAvberry. And there 
is just as much truth in one as the other ; the only differ- 
ence, in fact, lies in the strength of the plants, and should 
the last tip reach a lump of manure or richer soil than the 
first one, it would become a better rooted plant than the 
first, and superior to it in every respect. 

There is another theory in regard to the production of 
plants of this class of Raspberry that has been accepted 
by many, and may be worthy of a passing remark. 

The theory referred to was promulgated by Mr. Doo- 
little, the introducer of the Jocelyn or Doolittle Black 
Raspberry, and is this : " The first growth from the young 
plants only must be used for propagation." To carry out 
this plan, the young j^lants may be allowed to take root at 
the ends the first season, but thereafter, no plants must be 
taken from them, but new plants must be put out every 
season for the purpose of propagation. 

Mr. Doolittle claims that great improvement can be, and 
has been, made by following this system for several years 
in succession, and if it is not followed,the plants degener- 
ate. But facts do not substantiate the theory, because 
we have varieties that have been as many years in culti- 



RASPBERRY. 127 

vatiou as the one sent out by Mr. Doolittle, and although 
never subjected to this system, they have not deteriorated. 

And further, there is not one grower of the Black Rasp- 
berry in a hundred who attempts to follow Mr. Doolittle's 
plan, but they propagate from the same stools from year to 
year, and yet this variety appears to be just as large, pro- 
ductive and good as it was when first disseminated. 

Mr. Doolittle's theory is contrary to the one usually ac- 
cepted m regard to fruit trees, for with them we generally 
select wood for propagation from fully developed speci- 
mens, believing that by doing so we are more Hkely to in- 
sure productive and healthy plants, than by pursuing an 
opposite course. 

Young plants may sometimes produce better ones than 
old, because when planted on fresh soil, and the stem be- 
ing entirely removed, they start early, making a compara- 
tively small plant the first season — the ends of the branches 
reach the ground earlier, and become rooted before they 
Avould from older stools. Just so long as the old plants 
can be kept growing vigorously, and the young canes re- 
main healthy, they may be used for projjagation without 
danger of deterioration. 

All of the varieties of the Black Raspberry are more or 
less subject to producing what are generally called sports, 
that is, the plants vary from the usual tyjDC very often 
without any apparent cause. Sometimes the plant will as- 
sume a very diiferent character from the normal one, becom- 
mg barren, leaves smaller, canes of a different color, &c., 
while in other instances these sports will be a decided im- 
provement upon the original, the fruit becoming larger 
and produced in greater quantity, or two crops will be 
borne in a season instead of one. 

These changes may be the result of neglect in culture, 
diseases, or from extra care, which causes a more rapid 
and full development than usual. 



128 SMALL FEUrr CULTTJEIST. 

By Cuttings. — There are but few varieties of the Rasp- 
berry that can be sviccessfully grown from rij^e wood cut- 
tings. Some of. the Black Rasj^berry class will succeed 
if the cuttings are made early in the fall, and then placed 
in a propagating house, but, as a rule, there is nothing 
gained in endeavoring to jjropagate them in this manner. 
Green wood cuttings, however, gi'ow very readily by the 
same process used by propagators in multiplying grapes 
and other plants. 

The cuttings may be taken from plants growing in the 
open air, but it is better to take them up in the autumn 
and pot them, and place in a propagating house, and then 
take off the young growth from time to time as it appears. 

All the varieties and species of the Raspberry and 
Blackberry may be successfully propagated in this manner 
whenever it is desirable ; although there being so many 
other methods of multiplying them, that it will seldom be 
necessary to resort to this one. 

Single bud cuttings may be made of the mature wood 
in the fall, always selecting the medium sized branches and 
those that have not become very hard. 

In making these single bud cuttings, cut off the cane 
about half an inch above the bud, and the same distance 
below, and then divide the cut- 
ting through the middle length- 
wise, preserving the half that 
Fig. 51.-SIX0LE BUD CUTTING, coutaius tho bud (fig. 51). Pkut 
them in boxes or pots, about an inch apart, covering 
about half an inch deep ; then place them where they 
will be in a temperature of from 75 to 100 degrees. 
This is not quite so certain a method as the others, still 
with some varieties very good plants can be produced by 
an experienced propagator. When j^ropagating the Black, 
berry from single bud cuttings, the dividing of the stem 
lengthwise may be omitted, but with the Raspberry it is 
better than leaving them entire. 




EASPBEKET. 



129 



By Suckees. — "While, as I have previously stated, there 
are some varieties which naturally produce suckers in 
abundance, there are also others that do so very siDaringly ; 
and still these kinds do not multiply iu any other way if 
left entirely to themselves. It is also true that those kinds 
which produce few suckers are more difficult to projiagatc 
from cuttings of the roots ; consequently we must find 
some method of forcing the roots to produce a greater 
number of suckers than they do naturally. 

This may be accomplished in the following manner : 
Late in autumn, or Aery early in spring, dig up the old 
stools by cutting ofl' with a sjiade all the roots within a 
foot of the base of the stem. 

In figure 52 is shown a plant of the Philadelphia Rasp- 
berry, the simi-circular white line showing the point where 
the roots are severed. The Phila- 
delphia, Catawissa, and similar 
kinds, which do not sucker freely, 
are often treated in this manner. 
If more plants are wanted than 
may be expected if the roots are 
left entire, then another incision 
may be made in the same way 
one foot outside of the first, but 
in making it, no soil should be 
thrown out, the spade being 
thrust down into the soil its en- 
tire length, to separate the roots, 
and then Avithdrawn. After the 
roots have been divided, the sur- 
face of the soil should be harrowed over and made level. 
If a liberal supply of manure is applied as a top dressing, 
it will assist the groAvth of the plants very much. The 
roots remaining in the ground will usually throw up 
suckers in abundance, and make excellent plants. 

6* 




Fig. 53. — CUTTING THE KOOTS. 



130 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

SOIL AND LOCATIONS. 

For the purpose of giving a general rule (exceptions 
included), I will divide the Raspberries into two classes, 
without regard to species : 

Class 1. — The common Red and White kinds, taking 
the Antwerj)s as the foreign branch, and the wild Red as 
the native type. These require a deep rich moist soil, and 
one that is rather compact, such as a heavy loam or clay. 
These succeed very poorly in a sandy soil, unless it be in 
the extreme North. 

Class 3. — The Black Rasj)berry {B. occidentaUs) and 
its varieties succeed in both light and heavy soils (although 
they prefer the former), and in the most Northern as well 
as in the Southern States. 

To this peculiarity of the varieties of the two classes, 
we owe, in a great measure, the diversity of opinion so 
often expressed by fruit growers from the different sections 
of tlie country. 

The Antwerp class, as a whole, do not succeed upon 
light soils south of latitude forty-one, and they sometimes 
fail even to the north of this. In the sandy soils of New 
Jersey, and fartlier South, their leaves burn in summer, 
which prevents the canes maturing; consequently they 
die in winter whether covered or otherwise. 

This has been one of the gi'eat obstacles to Raspberry 
culture, as this class has been the one chiefly recommended, 
for the very good reason that the fruit was of superior 
quality, although the plants were delicate. 

North of the latitude named, very few of the varieties 
cultivated are hardy, and protection in winter is required. 
A few of the native Red kinds will withstand the cold of 
winter at the North, but for some cause they have not aa 
yet become very j^opular. These few kinds, which are 
hardy at the North, often fail at the South from the cause 
named, and the canes winter-kill even in a very mild 



RASPBERRY. 



131 



climate. The fact that one class succeeds better in a 
heavy soil than a light one should not be overlooked, even 
at the South, but taken advantage of whenever practicable. ^ 

SELECTION OF PLANTS. 

The canes of all the varieties of Raspberries are only 
biennial, that is, canes are produced one year, bear fruit 
the next, and then die ; therefore there is no such thing 
as two or three year old plants, as with trees and vines, 
when we refer to the steins, but the roots may be several 
years old, as they are perennial. One year old plants are 
the best for transplanting in all cases. Suckers are con- 
sidered the best plants with those kinds which produce 
them, but plants grown from root cuttings, if the opera- 
tion is properly performed, are equally as good, and some- 
times they are really superior, because furnished with a 
larger number of fibrous roots. The same may be said of 
those grown from cuttings of the stems ; they may be of 
first rate quality or otherwise. 

The old stools may also be taken up and divided and 
plained again, but such plants are not to be recommended, 
and should never be used if it can be avoided. "With 
those kinds which produce, plants from the tips of the 
canes, it is more important to select none older than one 
season, because the old plants produce new fibers very 
slowly at the best, and when transplanted they are very 
likely to fail, even with the best of care. 

PLANTING AND CULTURE. 

Thorough preparation of the soil before planting is just 
as important with the Raspberry as with other fruits. 

Planting in row^s and then restricting the plants to hills 
or stools, as it is termed, is the usual method. 

The rows should be four to six feet apart, according to 
the variety cultivated. With the Antwerp, and similar 
varieties, four feet each way is the usual distance, but with 



132 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

the stronger growing kinds the rows should be at least 
six feet aj)art, and the plants four or five feet apart in the 
rows. 

In planting the smaller growing kinds, two plants may 
be set in a hill, placing them about six inches apart ; for 
in this way we double the chances of securing a uniform 
plantation, because one may die and the other live; and 
if both should grow, a large stool will be secured in less 
time than if the plants were placed singly. The first cost 
of the plant is not usually of so much importance, as the 
loss of a crop, or of a year in time, which would be the 
result wherever the plants shoukl die and have to be re- 
placed. Spring is the usual time in the Northern States 
for j^lanting the Raspberry, and the fall for sections where 
the ground does not freeze very deeply. 

Select plants that have plenty of small fibrous roots, 
and set them no deeper than they were before removal. 
The uj^per tier of roots is usually about four inches below 
the surface, but in some instances they will be at a far 
greater depth. It is not advisable, however, to plant 
deejDly, because the suckers which spring from the |tem 
below ground, or from the lateral roots, will not come up 
so freely when the j^lants ape set deep as when shallow. 
At the time of planting, cut the canes down close to the 
surface of the soil, because if they are left entire, it will 
require nearly, if not quite, all the strength of the root to 
force the buds on them into growth. These will produce 
a few weak shoots, and perhaps some fruit, and then the 
canes will die down to the root and no farther. 

The entire forces of the plant are required the first sea- 
son to produce canes, if anything like a crop of fruit is 
expected the next. 

In some sections of the country the soil is naturally 
very poor, and it may nlso be very diificult to obtain suf- 
ficient manure to enrich the whole of it before planting. 
Under such circumstances, the plants may be manured in 



RASPBERRY. 133 

the hill by mixing a shovel full or more with the soil at 
the point marked for the plants before setting them. 

Afterwards manure may be applied to the surface of the 
soil, and worked in with plow or cultivator. If barn-yard 
manure, or a compost of it, and other materials cannot be 
obtained, then bone, poudrette, or some other kind may 
be applied. 

A plow or cultivator may be used among the plants for 
keeping the weeds down in summer, but keep the soil as 
nearly level as possible ; never bank up the plants and let 
them remain in this situation for any considerable time. 
A small plow may be used to break up the soil between 
the rows Avhenever it is necessary, but the cultivator 
should be passed over it soon after, to level it down again. 

If the variety cultivated is one that increases by suckers, 
allow but one or two from each root to grow the first sea- 
son, and not more than six to eight from one stool in any 
one year thereafter, unless the production of plants is more 
important than that of fruit. 

The fruiting canes will not always remain in one place, 
as the suckers will come up more freely upon one side 
than upon another, and the uniform distances between the 
stools will soon be lost, and some will be six feet apart 
while others not more than two. A little care given at 
the time the suckers are making their appearance in early 
summer, by cutting out where they are likely to be 
crowded, and preserving all where they are thin, will ena- 
ble the grower to preserve the required number of bear- 
ing canes in each row. 

It will often be necessary to use the hoe among the 
plants, because the plow or cultivator cannot be used to 
advantage, except in passing lengthwise of the rows, 
except for the first year or two, and not then unless great 
care was observed in planting, so that the rows are placed 
in direct lines each way. 

Clean cultivation is important, because if the plants be- 



134 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

come choked with grass and weeds, it will check their 
growth, and not only the fruiting canes will suffer for 
moisture, but those intended for the next season's crop. 

With varieties which produce no suckers from lateral 
roots, but only from the crowns of the main root, greater 
uniformity can be preserved in their cultivation. The 
only i^recaution necessary is to see that too many canes 
do not grow ; three or four are sufficient, all others should 
be cut off when they first appear. • 

PRUNING. 

Very little pruning is necessary with the Raspberry, and 
in general field culture none is given, except to go over the 
plantation after fruiting and cut out close to the ground 
all of the old canes. Some defer this operation until win- 
ter or the following spring, but it is better to do it soon 
after the fruit is gathered, so that the young canes shall 
not be crowded by the old ones. Because no other pru- 
ning is generally practiced, it is no sufficient reason why it is 
not necessary, or that it would not be beneficial. The bear- 
ing "canes should be pruned in the spring by heading back 
the leading shoots, and shortening the lateral ones. This 
operation is particularly beneficial to the Black Raspberry, 
Purple Cane, and others of this class, inasmuch as they 
produce such long slender canes that they would be 
broken or bent to the ground by the weight of fruit un- 
less severely pruned. 

The principal canes should be shortened to four or five 
feet, and the lateral ones to about eighteen inches. When 
pruned in this manner the fruit will be much larger, and 
the plant will yield as many quarts as though the canes 
were left their full length. Besides, the plants will very 
often set more fruit when left unpruned than they can 
matiire, and all is lost. 

There are a few varieties in cultivation which produce 
two crops in a season ; that is, the year old canes throw 



EASPBEEEY. 135 

out lateral fruiting branches the same as other kinds, and 
the new canes of the season bear fruit on their termina] 
point or branches in autumn. This second crop, or what 
is really the first croj) of the cane, is usually not a very 
abundant one, although highly prized by some persons, 
because jDroduced at other than the usual season for such 
fruit. If it is desirable to increase the late crop, then the 
entire plants should be cut down at the time of the annual 
pruning. This will cause the young canes to start early, 
and having the Avhole root for their support, they will 
come into bearing earlier in the fall, and bear more abun- 
dantly than if two crops were produced. 

TRAINING. 

In general field culture the usual mode is to train to 
stakes, but many cultivators are now dispensing with 
these artificial aids, and by close pruning tliey endeavor 
to make the canes sustain their fruit without assistance. 

I think, however, that it is questionable at le^st whether 
there is really anything saved by not using stakes, because 
many of the canes will be blown down by the wind, others 
will be broken by the weight of fruit, Avhile the lateral 
branches will fall upon the groimd, and the fruit become 
splashed with soil, thus making it unfit for use. The cost 
of stakes is but a trifle in comparison to the value of the 
fruit lost wlien they are not used, especially when it com- 
mands so large a price as it docs in most of our eastern 
markets. 

Chestnut stakes five feet long and two to three inches in 
diameter, made from large trees, cost me less than two 
cents each, and my location is within twenty miles of New 
York City, and where timber of all kinds commands a 
large price. I cannot afibrd to grow Raspberries without 
staking, because every stake will save on an average ten 
cents worth of fruit, and in many instances three times 
that amount. 



136 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



In the great Ras]Dberiy plantations of New York, stakes 
are used, and every fruiting cane is tied up^ early in spring. 
The stakes used are four or five feet long, one being driven 
near each stool, and the canes tied loosely to it. After the 
crop has been gathered, the stakes are all taken up and 
put away under cover until wanted the next season. The 
old canes are all removed in the fall, and all suckers not 
wanted for fruiting are taken up, preparatory to giving 
Avinter protection to those that remain. 

WINTER PROTECTION. 

Until Avithin a very few years, the varieties principally 
cultivated for market were those of foreign origin. Oc- 
casionally one would be introduced that Avas quite hardy 




Fig. 58. — LAYING DOWN THE CANES. 

even in the Northern States, but as a whole they required 
protection to insure a full crop. Many different methods 
for protecting the plants in Avinter haA^e been suggested 
and tried, but there is probably none so simple or cheajD 
as that of laying down the plants and covering with soil. 
To perform this operation rapidlyit requires tAVO men, one 
to bend down the plants Avhile the other throws a shoA^el 
full of soil upon them, or just enough to keep them in 
place. The canes should be bent down lengthwise of the 
row, as shown in figure 53. When the plants haA'e all 
been laid down, a plow is jiassed along on each side of the 
row, turning the soil upon them. In this manner an acre 



EASPBEEEY. 137 

may be covered at a cost not exceeding fifteen dollars. 
The plants should not be covered until the approach of 
cold weather, usually deferring the operation as long as it 
can be with safety. If the canes are covered while the 
weather is warm, or before they are fully ripe, they will 
decay. 

In the spring, after all danger of severe freezing is past, 
take up the canes by passing a fork under them, gently 
lifting and shaking oft' the soil. Drive down the stakes 
and tie the canes to them as before. Cut oft" all dead and 
broken canas, and shorten all others. When the canes are 
very tall, a foot or more may be pruned oft" with benefit to 
that which remains. All side or lateral branches should 
be shoi'tened at least one-half, and sometimes if two-thirds 
of their length were cut away, it would be still better. 

GARDEN CULTURE. 

The same general systems adapted to field culture are 
also applicable to the garden, but usually more cai*e will be 
bestowed upon a few plants than upon a larger number. 
When only a few are grown, they may be watered, or the 
ground covered with a mulch, either of Avhicli operations 
will assist very much in the full development of the fruit. 

The plants may also be allowed to bear the first season, 
if fruit is very desirable, for by giving extra care, new 
canes for the next year may be produced from the same 
root, besides supporting the fruiting cane. It is, however, 
the safest plan to set three or four plants in a hill, and cut 
one or two of them down to the ground, and leave the 
others with canes about two feet long. Sometimes quite 
a large crop will be produced on plants set in spring, and 
though it usually prevents the root throwing up suckers 
strong enough to bear the ensuing year, still, with plants 
that cost but a few cents each, there is nothing lost even 
if they die outright after fruiting. With those who are 
just commencing a garden, it is sometimes quite an object to 



138 



SMATJj FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



have fruit the first season, even if there is no profit in the op- 
eration. A different system of training may also be adopted, 
and instead of stakes, a simple and cheap trellis may be made 
by setting strong stakes about twenty feet ajoart along the 
rows, and then stretch a wire from one to the other, and 

-' . .t&i. i . .j^x =!y\ ./ ,/. . . .; 




M. — RASPBERRY TRELLIS. 

to this tie the fruiting canes, as shown in figure 54, If 
the variety cultivated is tender, then bend down and cover 
the canes with soil in winter, using a spade or shovel in- 
stead of the plow. 




Fig. 55.— TRAINING TO STAKES. 

Another method is shown in figure 55. In this the 
stakes are driven on opposite sides of the stools and about 
two feet distant, the bearing canes are bent over and tied 
in the manner shown. The young shoots of the season 
will not always grow up in the center as represented in the 
engraving, but that is the place where it would be desira- 
ble to have them grow to enable us to carry out this 



EASPBEREY. 



139 



someAvhat ideal system. The bearing canes are cut away 
after the fruit is gathered, and the next spring the four 
young canes shown in an upright position, are bent down 
in the same manner as those of the previous year. 

Training within a hoop is a very pretty plan for small 
gardens. This is done by driving two stakes, one on each 
side of the stool, and about a foot 
from it ; then take a common barrel 
hoop and nail it to the stakes, as in 
figure 56. The canes are trained up 
within the hoop and tied to it at 
regiilar distances apart, thereby sup- 
porting the canes and preventing 
them from being blown about by 
the winds and injuring the fruit. 

There are many other very neat 
and convenient systems of training 
the Raspberry in use among amateur 
cultivators, but those already named will give the reader a 
very good idea of their general scope, besides suggesting 
other modes, such as training ujjon walls, fences, along 
the sides of walks or as a kind of a hedge, also planting and 
training in a half shady situation, with a northern exposure 
for a late crop, and in one of an oj^posite character for an 
early one. 

So various are the changes that can be made in every 
department of fruit-culture, that to give them all in detail 
would require one or more large volumes for each species 
in cultivation. 




-nOOP TRAIN- 
ING. 



DURATION OF PLANTS. 

The duration of a Raspberry plantation will depend 
very much upon the variety cultivated, as Avell as upon the 
nature of the soil and care given the plants. Ten to four- 
teen years is about the average under good culture, but 
sometimes they will remain productive for twenty years. 



. 140 SMALL FKUIT CULTUEIST. 

No rule or set time shoiild be heeded in this matter, hut 
so soon as the plants fail to produce remunerative crops, 
plow them up and plant some other crop upon the soil, for 
two or thi-ee years, after which it may again be planted 
with RasiDberries if it is desirable. 

DISEASES AND INSECTS. 

The Raspberry is seldom affected, to any considerable 
extent, by disease. Occasionally the leaves and stems will 
be affected with rust, in wet seasons, when cultivated ujDon 
soils of a compact nature. The Raspberry plantations in 
Orange, Ulster, and adjacent counties in New York, have 
been for several years past affected more or less with a 
kind of rust, which seems to prevent the canes from ripen- 
ing, and the result is, that they decay in winter, although 
carefully protected. The nature or cause of this rust or 
disease I have not been able to ascertain, but it is very 
probable that thorough under-draining and replanting upon 
fresh soil would check, if not entirely eradicate it. The 
Red Antwerp Rasj^berry has been extensively grown in 
these counties for the j)ast thirty or forty years, and it 
would indeed be very strange if disease or insects did not 
make their appearance after so long a time, and particularly 
where one variety is grown so extensively as in the region 
named. It is quite probable that a few unfavorable seasons, 
or the want of proper cultivation has been the cause of this 
disease, and that it will not become known away from the 
locality where it originated. 

Leaf blight or rust is very common upon the Avild Rasp- 
berry and Blackberry, and sometimes upon the cultivated, 
particularly upon old and feeble plants. The general ap- 
pearance of this rust, or Raspberry brand, as it is called 
in England, is like that described under the Strawberry, 
p. 83, but it shows a different form under the micro- 
scope. 




RASPBERRY. 141 

The number of insects that infest the Raspberry and 
Blackberry is very few indeed, and none have as yet be- 
come very common or destructive. 

The Blackberry bush borer, fig, 57, is occasionally found 
eating out the pith of the young canes of the Raspberry 
and Blackberry, but it is not common. The 
beetle, which is the parent of the borer, is 
about a half inch long, black, rusty yellow 
on the breast, and on the top of the thorax. 
It lays its eggs early in August on the stems 
Piff 57"^LACK- '^^ ^^^^ Blackberry and Raspberry, generally 
BERRY Busn at the base of a leaf. The grub penetrates 
BOKER. -ti^g stem, eating out the pith, causing the 
young canes to wither. A few of my Blackberry bushes 
were attacked by this insect the past season. 

The infested canes should be pruned oiF in the fall and 
buried. In Europe there is a beetle {Byturustomentosys), 
which deposits its eggs in the flower of the Raspberry, which 
produce small white maggots by the time the fruit is ripe. 
A similar worm is quite common upon our Wild Red 
Raspberry, but whether it is the same as the European' 
species, or one of the Ortalidians, (some of which are known 
to deposit their eggs in the Raspberry) , I am unable to say, 
as they are seldom seen upon the cultivated varieties. 

DESCRIPTION OF VAEIETIES. 

Class I. — Native Species axd Varieties. 
{Hubtcs occidentalis.) 

American Black. {Black Baspberries, Black Cap 
Baspherry, Thimble Berry). — Fruit mectlum, slightly 
oval, black with bloom, sweet pleasant flavor ; there is but 
little juice, a greater portion of the berry being seeds. 
The plant roots from the ends of the young canes. In its 
wild state one of the most variable species known. Com- 
mon in all parts of the United States. 



142 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

American White €ap. ( Yellow Cap^ Golden Cap.) — 
Fruit, oue-half to five-eighths of an inch broad ; slightly 
oval ; grains larger than in the preceding variety ; pale or 
deep yellow, covered with a white bloom; sweet, juicy, 
rather musky, but agreeable ; canes light yellow, slightly 
glaucous, very strong, stocky, with a few short sjDines ; only 
moderately productive. This variety is also found wild from 
Maine to the Mississippi River, and probably farther west. 
I have received it from nearly all the Northern States, and 
from the southern portion of the State of Delaware. It is 
seldom found in any great number, and this is probably 
one reason why so many people have supposed they had 
discovered something new, when they have accidentally 
found one of these plants growing wild. Nearly every 
season I receive letters from dilfei'ent parts of the country, 
describing a new and remarkable wild variety of white 
Raspberry, but when the plants are received they have in- 
variably proved to be this variety. The White Cap 
Raspbei-ry possesses some good qualities, and there is no 
doubt but Avhat seedlings from it might be produced that 
would be really vahiable and worthy of general cultivation. 
The habit of the plant is as good as could be desired, pro- 
ducing no suckers, but propagating from the tips of the 
young canes. 

American Improved. {DooUttWs Black Gap., Josly7i's 
Improved, Improved Black Cap Ra&pherry). — Large, 
black, with slight bloom, sweet, juicy, of the same flavor 
as the Wild Black Raspberry, canes very vigorous, with 
numerous, strong-hooked prickles. The extremely thorny 
character of the plant is its greatest fault, as it is equally 
as disagreeable a subject to work among as the Blackberry. 
Very productive and hardy. Found growing wild, about 
twenty-five years ago, by Leander Joslyn, of Phelps, On- 
tario County, N. Y. Of late years this variety has been 
extensively cultivated for market. 



RASPBERRY. 148 

Doolittle's Red-flarored Black Raspberry, — This is 
a new variety, just announced by Mr. H. H, Doolittle, of 
Oaks Corners, N. Y. Described as a large, dark red or 
brown colored berry, with a decided Red Raspberry 
flavor. It is to be hoped that if this variety should prove 
to be worthy of cultivation, a different name will be given it. 

DaTison'S Thornless. {Thomless Blackcap.) — About 
the same size and shape as the American Improved, but a 
week or ten days earlier. Canes strong and quite stocky, 
smooth, except a very few small straight spines near the 
base and an occasional one on the leaf-stalk. The thornless 
character of the plant is certainly a decided improvement 
upon those which produce them in such abimdance as some 
others do. Originated in the garden of Mrs. Mercy Davi- 
son, in the Village of Gowanda, N. Y. ; introduced to the 
public in 1866, by Joseph Siuton, Angola, Erie County, 
N. Y. 

Elsie. — A new seedling, raised from the Surprise, by 
Samuel Miller, of Avon, Lebanon County, Pa. I have not 
yet fruited this variety, but Mr. Miller describes it as very 
large, of excellent quality, and productive, 

Miami Black Cap. — Very large, dark brown, almost 
black ; sweet, juicy and good. A little later than the Am- 
erican Improved, and the spines not so numerous. Hardy, 
productive and valuable. From the Miami Valley, Ohio. 

Ohio Everbearing. {Monthly Black Cop.)— Large, 
black, sweet, and moderately juicy; canes strong and 
rather more upright than some others; spines strong, hooked 
and numerous, very productive. The young canes produce 
a moderate crop in autumn. Cultivated among the Qua- 
kers m Ohio, and introduced to public notice many years 
ago, by N". Longworth, of Cincinnati. 

Seneca Black Cap. — This is another new variety, an- 
nounced by Mr, Doolittle ; said to be a larger berry than 
the American Improved, more firm, and equal to it in pro- 
ductiveness, but eight to ten days later. 



144 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

Sammit Black Capi — Medium size, pale pink or nearly 
white in the shade, rather dry, but very sweet ; ripens a 
little later than the Common Black Cap ; canes strong and 
vigorous, pale orange yellow, with considerable bloom ; 
spines short, slightly hooked and rather numerous. A new 
variety from Summit Township, Crawford County, Pa. It 
is supposed to have originated from seed in soil excavated 
from a canal, at the depth of ten feet. The original plant 
was found and transplanted by Mr. Daniel Supher. I am 
indebted to Mr. O. T. Hobbs, of Randolph, Pa., for plants 
of this variety and its history. 

Surprise. — Yery similar to the American Improved, but 
the berries are larger, more conical, and covered with a 
thick bloom ; sweet, sprightly and good ; a valuable vari- 
ety. Found growing wild in Missouri. I am indebted to 
Mr. Samuel Miller for plants of this very excellent fruit. 

Woodside. — Very large, globular, black, with little 
bloom ; sweet, juicy and good. Produces a second crop 
in autumn. Figure 58 is an exact repi*esentation of a 
cluster cut from a plant in November last. Canes light 
crimson or dark scarlet ; spines few and very scattering. 
Not fully tested as to productiveness. Originated in the 
garden of one of my neighbors, from seeds sown by the 
former owner of the place. 

Class II. — Purple Cane Family. 

A portion at least of the following kinds ai-e supposed to 
belong to the same species as the common Black Cap 
Raspberry (i?. occidentalis). But as they have a few 
characteristics in common, which are not found in the wild 
black Raspberry, nor in any other species, I have placed 
them in a list by themselves. 

This separation is not claimed to be a strictly scientific 
one, but as a matter of convenience. 



EASrDEKRT. 



145 




Fig:. 58. — WOODSIDE KASPBEBRY. 



146 SMALL FEUIT CULTUKIST. 

The old Purple Cane Raspberry is so well known that 
I have selected it as the type or representative of this 
class. 

The principal difference between the varieties of the 
Black Cap and the Purple Cane is in the fruit. The first, 
as is well known, have rather dry, tough fruit, with a pe- 
culiar flavor. Its grains numerous, and very irregular in 
size. The fruit of the Purple Cane, as a rule, is rather soft, 
juicy, often very brittle, the grains separating very readily. 
Color, varying fi-om light red to dark brownish-purple, 
but never black ; the flavor mild and agreeable, but en- 
tirely distinct from those of the true Black Raspberry. 

Catawissai — Medium, round, dark reddish-purple, rather 
brittle and soft, juicy, moderately good, canes strong, very 
branching, dark brown bark, and few hooked spines. Pro- 
duces a second crop in autumn. If the whole stool is cut 
down in spring, the young canes of the season will come 
into fruit early, and continue bearing until winter. The 
fruit is borne principally on the ends of the shoots of those 
which do not bend down and take root. Suckers are also 
produced very sparingly, but if the stools are taken up, and 
the roots left in the ground, a greater nixmber will grow 
than otherwise. The plant is quite tender in the Northern 
States, and even in the locality where it was discovered, it 
is sometimes winter-killed. I have cultivated this variety 
about ten years, and have never as yet had a plant survive 
the winter unless protected. It is of no particular value 
unless for the j^urpose of producing a late crop, and to in- 
sure this the entire plant must be cut down early in spring. 
This variety was found in a grave yai'd, in the Village of 
Catawissa, Columbia County, Pa. 

Ellisdale* — Large, roundish-oval, grains medium to 
large, quite regular in size; color, light crimson or dark 
scarlet ; rather firm and of good flavor ; canes very strong, 
light red, smooth, with a few straight spines near the base, 
and an occasipnal hooked one on the upper portion. The 



KASPBEEKY. 147 

plant produces no suckers from its lateral roots, but propa- 
gates from the tips of the canes, the same as the Purple 
Cane. New, not thoroughly tested at the East, but con- 
sidered as a very valuable variety in the locality where it 
originated. Found in 1856, by Mr. J. E. Johnson, growing 
on the EUisdale farm, in Pottawatomie County, Iowa. The 
stock was placed in the hands of H. A. Terry, of Cres- 
cent City, Iowa, for propagation and dissemination. 

Gardiner. — A new variety, said to be intermediate be- 
tween the Purple Cane and Black Cap. Received from S. 
Miller. Origin at present unknown. 

Purple Cane. {American Red Cane.) — Medium, or 
small, roundish, dai'k dull red, with bloom ; grains large, 
soft, sweet, very good ; canes very strong ; growing eight 
to twelve feet long, smooth, with a few straight spines at the 
base, and a few hooked spines above ; vigorous and pro- 
ductive, fruit good for home use, but too soft for market. 
This variety has been in cultivation in the vicinity of New 
York for at least fifty years. Propagates from the tips of 
the young canes, and produces no suckers, 

Philadelphia. — Medium to large, globular, dark red, 
scarcely any bloom, moderately firm, sub-acid, not rich, 
nor very juicy; grains large, adhere together more firmly 
than the Purple Cane ; canes erect, strong and stocky, dark 
red or purple, branching ; spines very small, straight and 
scattering, almost spineless ; leaves large, dark green above, 
lighter beneath, very thick and tough, have a peculiar wavy 
appearance on the upper side, finely serrated. Figure 59 
shows the general form of the leaf, and figure 60, a cluster 
of fruit of the average size under common field culture. 
The canes do not bend over and root from the tips, like the 
Purple Cane, but produce suckers, although rather sparing- 
ly; very hardy and wonderfully productive. Found 
growing within the present limits of the City of Philadel- 
phia, some thirty or more years ago. It has lately become 



148 



SMALL FRUIT CrLTUEIST. 




FijT. 59.— LEAP OF PHILADELPHIA EASPBEEET. 



RASPBERRY. 



149 



very populai' as a market variety, and for some soils and 
locations is unexcelled. This is particularly the case in 
the sandy soils of New Jersey, where all of the finest 
foreign varieties fail, and no amount of care will enable 
the growers to secure a remunerative crop. It has been 




Fig. 60. — PHILADELPHIA. 

widely disseminated in the past five years, and very 
favorable reports are being received fi'om all parts of the 
country in regard to its hardiness and productiveness. 

Class 3. — ^Varieties of Rubus strigosus. 
{Wild Bed Raspberry.) 

The common "Wild Red Rasj^berry of our country 
possesses many valuable qualities, even in its normal state. 
But to produce new and improved varieties from it has 



150 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



seldom been attempted, because foreign kinds were at 
hand that apparently possessed qualities superior to our 
own ; consequently we have very few native kinds worthy 
of cultivation. This is certainly to be regretted ; inas- 

mvich as the foreign va- 
rieties are usually ten- 
der, while our native 
kinds are quite hardy, 
and there can scarcely 
be a doubt that if the 
same persistent efforts 
had been put forth to 
improve them, as have 
been expended uj^on the 
foreign sorts, we would 
now have varieties of 
the native sjiecies far 
superior to any that we 
have obtained from 
abroad. 

The variableness of 
the Muhus strigosus is 
worthy of being particu- 
larly noticed by those 
who may attempt its im- 
Fig. 61. — STEM OF wiLB RED. provcmcut. Some of the 

wild varieties produce an immense number of suckers, 
others but very few. Some have very smooth canes, 
others are covered with close set spines or bristly 
hairs, as shown in figure 61. The fruit is also variable 
in color, from a dark red to a light bright crimson ; 
globular or conical in shape, and of medium size. Figure 
62 shows a fruit of about the average size Avhen grown 
in good soil. 

Figure 63 shows a fruit branch Avhen coming into bloom, 
and figure 64, a leaf, both somewhat reduced in size. The 




EASPBERET. 



151 



leaves are bright green and whitish-downy underneath, 
but not so mucli so as in some of the foreign varieties. 

Allen's Red Prolific. — Medium, globular, light crim- 
son, sej)arates freely from the core, juicy, but mild 
flavor ; canes strong, erect, reddish purple when mature ; 




Fig. 62. — FRUIT OP WILD RED. 



spines white, long, slender, very few and scattering ; leaves 
thin, oblong, pointed, evenly serrated, not toothed. Not 
very prolific, and produces suckers rather fi'eely, but not 
so abundant as the next. 

Allen's Antwerp. — Similar in size, shape, color and 



152 



SMALL FEUIT CULTIJEIST. 



quality to the last, the loaves deeply serrated or toothed, 
and of more substance ; spines very numerous, and of a 




riC 63. — FLOWERING STEM OT" WILD RET). 



reddish-purple color. Both this and the preceding variety 
were sent out hy L. F. Allen, Black Rock, N. Y., about 



EASPBEERT. 153 

ten years ago, but they have been placed on the rejected 




Fia:. 64.— LEAF OP WILD RED. 



list by the American Pomological Society, and almost uni- 



154 SMALL FKUIT CULTTJRIST. 

versally discarded by fruit growers. They were not 
claimed to Tbe seedlings by Mr. Allen, but merely acci- 
dental varieties of the wild Red Raspberry of his locality. 
I have been more particular in giving them a description, 
because it is very probable that they will again be brought 
forward by other parties as new and valuable varieties. 

Kirtland. — Medium, nearly round, light bright crimson, 
separates freely from the receptacle, moderately firm, sweet, 
of the same flavor as the wild Red ; canes very erect, nearly 
smooth, pale red at matui'ity ; produces comparatively few 
suckers, quite productive, and the earliest of the class. 
The canes are also quite hardy. One of the best of the 
native varieties. Originated with J. P. Kirtland, Cleve- 
land, Ohio. 

Pearl Raspberryi — IMedium, round, light bright scar- 
let, sweet, juicy, moderately firm, with an agreeable flavor; 
plant a very short, stocky grower ; the cane seldom over 
three feet high ; sj^ines numerous, long, slender, light col- 
ored, slightly tinged with purple ; suckers very numerous, 
and must be kept down, or but little fruit will be produced ; 
moderately productive and hardy. Origin unknown. Cul- 
tivated considerably about Philadelphia. 

Stoever. — Large, roundish-conical, bright crimson, 
sprightly, with strong wild flavor ; canes very vigorous, 
nearly smooth, reddish brown when ripe ; very unproduc- 
tive. Not worth cultivating. Found growing wild in 
Vermont, by J. T. Stoever, and removed to his garden in 
Pliiladelphia, in 1859. 

Scarlet. — This variety has been highly extolled by 
Wm. S. Carpenter, of New York City, in a late advertise- 
ment in the Gardener's Monthly. The following extract 
from a letter just received will probably enable the reader 
to make a very close guess as to what class this variety 
belongs : 



RASPBERRY. 155 

IJNioisr, Union County, N. J., March 7, 1867. 

* * * "I purchased one hundred of the Allen Rasp- 
berry about eight years ago, and found among them four 
or five plants that appeared to be a distmct variety from 
the Allen, and whether it is a new or old variety I cannot 
tell. I found it hardy, and much more productive than 
the Allen. The berries being perfect, of a bright red 
color, about the size of the Philadelphia Raspberry. 
Propagates from the roots, same as the Allen. Canes very 
erect, of a purple color, and quite free from spines. I let 
Wm. S. Carpenter have some of them two years ago, and 
he thought very highly of them. ******* 
I would like for you to try some of the Scarlet Raspberry ; 
possibly you may recognize it as an old variety." 

Yours truly, John Crane. 

It is pretty well known that the Allen Raspberry, when 
sent out, was rather a mixed up lot, and Mr. Crane may 
have received a variety distinct from those sent to other 
parties, although from his description I should think it the 
Allen's Prolific. 

This variety sometimes produces a very fair crop, pro- 
vided the plants are kept thinned and but few suckers al- 
lowed to grow. 

Mr. Crane does not claim the Scarlet as a new variety, 
nor extol it highly, but gives the facts in regard to its 
origin, which leads me to think that he is a gentleman who 
would not mislead the public for the sake of gain. The 
price at which he ofiers the plants in his catalogue, (13.00 
per 100), is another proof that it is not for the sake of 
profit that Mr. Crane disseminated the Scarlet Raspberry. 

Class 4. — Foreign Varieties and Their Seedlings. 

The greater part of the following kinds belong to the 
foreign species, {Mubus Idceus), but many of them origi- 
nated in this country from seed of the foreign varieties. 

The fact of their being produced here does not make 
them any the less or more valuable than those imported, 



15G SMALL FEUIT CULTUEIST. 

although it will be conceded by most of our fruit growers 
that some of the varieties raised in this country are equal, 
if not far superior, to any that have been obtained from 
abroad. As a class, the varieties of the It. Idmvs are 
larger and better flavored than those of our native species, 
R. strigosus, but there are very few of them that are 
hardy in the Northern States, and their leaves burn more 
or less at the South. 

Antwerp Red. {True Bed Antwerp, Old Bed Antwerp^ 
JInevett''s Antwerp, IIov:land''s Antwerp, Burley''s Ant- 
werp, English Antwerp^ — Fruit large, nearly globular, 
dark red, with bloom ; grains large ; juicy, sprightly flavor; 
canes strong and tall ; spines light red and numerous. An 
old variety seldom cultivated at the present time, as it has 
been superseded by the following : 

Antwerp. {IIud.son Biver, New Bed Antwerp. ) — Large, 
nearly conical, firm, of a pleasant, sweet, but sprightly 
flavor ; canes short, stocky growth, with few spines ; the 
bark on the mature canes is of a peculiar grayish color ; very 
productive, but requires winter protection. This is the 
great market berry which is so extensively cultivated in 
the eastern portion of the State of New York. Origin 
unknown, but supposed to have been procured in England 
and brought to this country about fifty years ago, by 
Mr. Briggs, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 

Antwerp Yellow. ( White Antwerp, Double Bearing 
yellow.) — Large, conical, pale yelloAV, sweet, but not high 
flavored ; canes strong and vigorous, light yellow ; the 
leaves are pale green ; spmes long, slender, white, on 
some canes very numerous, but scarcely any on others. 
Rather more hardy than the red, but not sufliciently so to 
omit protecting. Of European origin, and but little culti- 
vated, as it is not so productive or good as some others 
of a similar color, 

Barnet. {Lord Exmouth, Large Bed, Cornwall's 
Seedlings, CornwaWs Prolific, Barnet^ Antwerp.) — 



RASPBERRY. 



157 



Large, obtuse-conical, bright purplish- red, sprightly, pleas- 
ant flavor ; canes tall, very branching, yellowish green. 
An old English variety of little value. 

BreffltfiJ>rd Cane. — Small to medium, obtuse-conical, dark 
red, inferior flavor. An old English variety of little or no 
value. Placed among the inferior varieties in the nursery- 
men's catalogues of forty years ago. 

Belle de Foateaay. ( Victoria.) — Yery large, irregular, 
long-conical, deep crimson, with a tliin bloom, 
separates freely from the core, moder 
rather acid, but good ; canes very 
strong and stocky, branching ; leaves 
thick, dark green above and silvery- 
white beneath ; spines reddish-purj^le, 
short and stifi"; very hardy and pro- 
ductive. Produces a second crop in 
autumn ; the best of the autumn 
bearing varieties. It produces a 
great number of suckers, the larger 
portion of which should be removed 
as soon as they appear, to insure a 
good crop of fruit. This has fre- 
quently been confounded with Mer- 
vielle des quartre Saisons, but it is distinct. 
in France. Figure G5 represents a berry of this variety 
rather below the average size which it attains under or- 
dinary culture. It is very probable that the engraver 
has rather reduced than enlarged the illustration of spec- 
imens placed in his hands. 

Briackle's Oraage. — See Orange. 

Burliagton. — Large ; same color as the Red Antwerp, 
A new variety ; originated by the late Benjamin Prosser, 
of Burlington, New Jersey. It has been fruited but two 
years ; consequently but little is known of its merits. 




65. — BELLE DE FON- 
TENAT. 



Originated 



158 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 




Belle de Palluau. — (Fig. G6.) — Very large, obtuse-conical; 
grains large, regular ; light bright crimson, separates freely 

from the core, sub-acid, 
juicy, very good, mod- 
erately firm ; canes very 
strong ; spines short, 
purple, not very numer- 
ous ; leaves medium, 
deep green ; lobes broad- 
ly ovate ; serratures very 

Fig. 66. — BELLE DE PALLUAU. i i i • , 

* regular and sharp pomt- 

ed ; very productive, and will probably become a valua- 
ble market variety. Requires protection in winter. A 
new variety from France. 

Bagley'S Perpetual. — Medium, neai-ly round, dark 
crimson, rather soft, acid ; second quality ; bears a second 
crop in autumn. Highly extolled a few years ago, but 
little has been heard of it of late. Originated in New 
Haven, Conn. 

Clarke. — (Fig. 67.) — Large, roundish-conical, light crim- 
son ; grains medium ; very sweet, rich, and high flavored, 
parts freely from the core, mod- 
erately firm ; canes very strong 
and stocky, erect, more or less 
branching ; spines white, the ends 
slightly colored, rigid, numerous 
at the base of the canes, scatter- 
ing, and few above ; leaves very 
large, thick, rather flat, deep 
green above, and silvery white 
beneath, coai'sely and unevenly 

-, ^. , Fiff. 67.— CLAEKE. 

serrate; very productive, and so 

far as known, perfectly hardy. It withstood, without 
protection, 16 degrees below zero in my grounds in the 
winter of 1865. This comparatively new variety prom- 




EASPBEERY. 159 

ises to be a valuable acquisition, as its leaves are so tough 
that they endure the hot weather in summer without in- 
jury. I have had it in cultivation four years, and from 
this very brief experience I feel inclined to place it high in 
the list of choice varieties. Raised from seed by E, E. 
Clarke, New Haven, Conn., in 1856. 

Cretan Red. — Small, conical, crimson or deep red, sub- 
acid, poor flavor, not very productive. A very old foreign 
variety. Placed on the rejected list by the American 
Pomological Society. 

Cope* — ^Large, obtuse-conical, light crimson, parts freely 
from the core, rather fii-m, sweet and good ; canes moder- 
ately strong ; spines purple, short and numerous ; produc- 
tive, but not equal to some other varieties. Originated 
with the late Dr. Wm. D. Brinckle, of Philadelphia, Pa., 
to whom we are also indebted for many valuable varieties 
of the Raspberry. 

Col. Wilder. — Large, roundish-conical, yellowish white 
or cream color, very sweet, juicy and good, but rather 
soft ; canes strong and vigorous ; spines white ; leaves 
dark green, and somewhat crimped or wavy. Raised 
from seed of the Fastolff by Dr. Brinckle, and named in 
honor of Marshall P. Wilder, the distinguished pomologist 
of Boston, Mass. 

Cushing. — Large, roundish-conical, light crimson, very 
regular in form ; grains small, compact ; separates freely 
from the core ; juicy, sprightly flavor, and good ; spines 
brownish purple, stiff and rather numerous ; leaves large 
and thin, irregularly and coarsely serrated or toothed; 
moderately vigorous and productive. Raised by Dr. 
Brinckle, and named in honor of J. P. Cushing, of Water- 
town, Mass. 

Cutbush's Prince of Wales.— Large, very regular, ob- 
tuse-conical, light crimson, rather dry, sub-acid flavor; 
canes strong and vigorous ; spines purple, long and slen- 



160 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

der, numerous ; productive. An English variety of no 
particular value, because there are many others that are 
far better. 

Double Bearing?. — An old variety, discarded by Ameri- 
can Pomological Society, 

Downing. — Large, regular, conical ; grains medium*; 
bright crimson, juicy, sweet and rich, firm, parts freely 
from the core ; canes strong, erect ; spines very short and 
stout, pale green; leaves very large, deep green, nearly 
flat when fully developed ; quite productive. A good 
market variety. Requires protection in winter the same 
as the Antwerp. A seedling of the Orange, raised by 
Charles Downiiig, Newburgh, N. Y., who has no plants 
of any kind for sale. 

Duhring. — Large, roundish-conical, bright red, firm, 
rich and excellent flavor. A sti'ong and vigorous grower, 
and said to be very productive and hardy. New ; not 
fully tested. Supposed to be a seedling of the Hornet. 
Originated on the grounds of Henry Duhring, Esq., Bel- 
mont, near Philadelphia, Pa. The stock of plants were 
placed in the hands of Henry A. Dreer, the well known 
seedsman of Philadelphia, to whom I am indebted for 
plants and description. 

Emily. — Large, roundish-conical, pale yellow; spines 
white ; vigorous and productive. One of Dr. Brinckle's 
seedlings, which proved unworthy of dissemination. 

Fastolff*. — ^Large, obtuse or roundish-conical, crimson; 
grains large, soft, sweet and rich ; one of the hest in 
flavor. Adheres so firmly to the core that the berries are 
often broken in picking ; canes moderately strong and 
rather crooked ; spines purple, stiff", and quite numerous ; 
very productive. An excellent variety for home use, but 
too soft for market. An old English variety ; its name 
said to be from an old castle in Great Yaniiouth, England. 

Fillbasket. {Northumberland Fillhasket) — Large, 'ob- 



RASPBEEKY. 



IGl 




tuse-conical, crimson ; grains large, with thin bloom ; firm, 
sweet, not very juicy, but good; canes strong, with pur- 
plish spines, which are quite abundant on the entire length 
of the cane ; leaves large, thick, not so deep green as 
some ; the leaflets broadly ovate ; quite productive. An 
English variety^ introduced about ten years since. 

Franconia. — (Fig. 68.) — Large, obtuse-conical, dark, 
purplish-red or crimson, firm, with a 
ricli, sprightly flavor ; canes strong, 
branching ; spines purple, stout, scat- 
tering ; leaves large, deep green, 
rather flat when fully developed. A 
valuable market variety. Requires 
protection in winter. Introduced 
V^'^'li^JpffvV '^ from France twenty-five years ago. 
''^.. JH»ar''V French. ( V-ice President French.) 

— Medium to large, obtuse-conical, 
crimson ; grains large ; firm, sweet, 
one of the best ; canes very strong, 
erect ; spines purple, stout and numerous ; very productive. 
A valuable variety. Supposed to be a seedling of the Fas- 
tolfi". Raised by Dr. Brinckle, and named in honor of B. 
V. French, Vice President of the Mass. Horticultural Soc. 
Fulton. — A large,crimson variety raised by Dr. B; inckle.- 
Probably lost, as nothing has 
been heard of it lately. 
General Patterson. — Large, 

round, crimson, adheres firmly 
to the core. One of Dr. Brinck- 
le's seedlings. 

Hornet. — Very large, conical, 
deep crimson, grains variable in 
size, jviicy, sub-acid, good, mod- 
erately firm ; canes very strong, Fig. 69.— hornet. 
erect, spines short, purplish ; fruit stems very long. 



rig. 68. — FKANCONIA. 

rich and excellent; 




162 SMALL PRITIT CTTLTURIST. 

Productive, and promises to be a good market variety. 
Originated in France, with M. Souchet, of Bagnolet, 
near Paris. 

Huntsman's Giant. — In size, shape and quality very 
similar to the Franconia, but the canes grow much taller, 
and when fully mature have a peculiar grayish- white bark. 
A seedling of the Franconia, very productive, and continues 
a long time in fruit. Raised by Prof T. W. Huntsman, 
Flushing, N.Y. Mr. Huntsman has paid considerable atten- 
tion to the cultivation of the Raspberry, raising an immense 
number of seedlings, hoping to obtain a hardy variety 
that was equal to the best tender kinds. This one is not 
claimed to be perfectly hardy, although more so than its 
parent. Mi\ Huntsman very reluctantly gave me permis- 
sion to name this seedling and notice it, and I have done 
so, believing it worthy of being placed among the new and 
promising varieties. 

Imperial. — This is another French variety lately intro- 
duced. I have not yet fruited it. The plants resemble 
the Hornet but the fruit is said to be not quite so good. 

Jonet. — Medium to large, light pale yellow ; canes 
feeble, spines very numerous, nearly white. Not worth 
cultivating, as we have several others of the same color 
which are far superior to it in every respect. 

Knevet'S Giant. — Large, or very large, globular, light 
crimson, adheres rather firmly to the core, juicy and 
good ; canes very strong, spines short, purplish, very few 
and scattering. Very productive. An Enghsh variety of 
considerable merit. 

Large Fruited Monthly. {Bivers' New Monthly.) — 
Medium to large, roundish-conical, crimson, soft, sweet, 
and juicy, good ; canes strong, spines red, stout. Some- 
times it produces a very fair crop, but not equal to Belle 
de Fontenay for a late one. Raised by Thomas Rivers, 
Sawbridgeworth, England. 



KASPBEERT. 163 

nia^nnm Bonum. — Very similar, if not tlie same as the 
Yellow Antwerp. Introduced from England about twenty- 
five years ago. 

Merveille de Quatre Saisons. {Marvel of the Four 
Seasons.) — Medium to large, obtuse-conical, crimson, soft, 
sweet and good ; canes erect, rather slender, spines purple, 
short and quite numerous, leaves flat, pale green under- 
neath, and not so dark green above as the Belle of Fon- 
teney which is often sold for this variety. The leaves are 
also finely and evenly serrated. Very hardy and produces 
an immense number of suckers. There is also a variety of 
this with yellow fiaiit, but it is scarcely worth cultivating, 
as it is very unproductive. 

IVaomii — A new variety from Ohio, said to be very large 
and excellent. I have not had an opportunity of fruiting 
it, as the plants were not for sale until the past season. 

Orange. {BrincJcWs Orange.) — Large, obtuse-conical, 
orange; sweet, rich and delicious flavor; canes strong, 
with smalljWhite spines ; plant vigorous and very produc- 
tive. This is one of the best varieties in cultivation. Plant 
requires protection in winter. Originated by Dr. Brinckle, 
in 1845. 

PilatCi — Large, loug-conical, grains small, compact, dark 
red, firm, juicy, sub-acid, only passably good ; canes not 
very vigorous, spines numerous, purplish -red; productive. 
One of the new French varieties, highly extolled, but in- 
ferior to many of the varieties produced in this country. 

Rivers' Seedlings. — Mr. Thomas Rivers, the veteran 
promologist of England, has paid considerable attention to 
the Raspberry, and has produced many hundreds of seed- 
lings. Some of them have reached this country, but there 
appears to be considerable confusion in regard to their iden- 
tity and names. The one known as Rivers' Black Rasp- 
berry does not belong to the Black Raspberry family of this 
country. It is a dark purple fruit, with a white bloom, 



164 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 



rather soft, of peculiar rich flavor, but not particularly 
valuable. Another, received under the name of Rivers' 
Seedling, is a large, roundish-conical berry, deep crunson, 
with a thin bloom, quite acid and not rich; canes very 
vigorous, branching, of a reddish color, spines purple, short, 
and very strong; produces very few suckers. Perfectly 
hardy and very j)roductive ; will jii'obably be a good mar- 
ket variety. Mr. Rivers exhibited a new variety at one of 
the Horticultural shows in England a few years since, 
Avhich he claimed to be a hybrid between the Raspberry 
and Blackberry, but I am not aware of its success. 

Russell's Red Raspberry. — Large, roundish-conical, 
dark red, moderately firm, juicy, sweet and good; canes 
strong, erect ; spines white, straight, few and scattering. 
Supposed to be hybrid between the Purjile Cane and White 
Antwerj); very hardy and jiroductive ; propagated by 
suckers. Originated in the garden 
of Dr. G. W. Russell, Hartford, 
Conn., and named by the Hartford 
Co. Horticultural Soc, in 1858. 

Sonchettii. {White Transpar- 
ent.) — (Fig, 70.) — Large, conical, 
somcAvhat irregular in form ; pale 
yellow, firm but juicy, sweet and 
very good ; canes vigorous ; spines 
nearly white and few; leaves large 
and wavy, thin, light green. A jjro- Fig. 70.-soucuettii. 
ductive variety, raised by Mr. Souchet. 

Semper FideliS. — Large, irregular-conical, dull crimson, 
rather firm and dry, sub-acid ; second rate in quality ; canes 
strong, spines purple, short and stift", numerous; leaves 
large, evenly serrated ; very productive. A new variety 
from England, where it is highly extolled. 

Walker, — Large, round, deep crimson, soft, juicy, 
sprightly flavor, good ; canes strong with a few stitf, pur- 




RASPBEREY. 165 

plish spines; very productive. One of Dr. Brinckle's 
seedlings. 

Yellow Chili. — Large, conical, pale yellow, slightly 
tinged with orange, very soft, sweet and juicy; canes 
strong, branching, spines long, slender, white. A French 
variety which I received about ten years since. Not valu- 
able, and inferior to several others of similar color. 

Miscellaneous Varieties. — The following list comprises 
the new and old varieties of which little is known at the 
present time. Some of them have been merely announced 
in the nurserymen's catalogues, or in some of the various 
Horticultural Journals, while others are old foreign varie- 
ties that have been superseded by better kinds. I have 
added whatever information I possessed in regard to each. 
Plants of some of the new ones have been received, but not 
tested, consequently I cannot give a description, nor de- 
cide upon their merits : 

Bromley Hill. — An old, red, English variety, of fair 
quality, but not productive. 

Beehive. — Large red. (Prince's Catalogue, 1844.) 

Cornish. — An old discarded English variety. 

Chili Monthly. — An old foreign variety. 

Cox's Honey. — An old white variety. 

Early Prolific. — Poor flavor; an old variety from 
England. 

JiUards'S Seedling. — An English variety of very good 
quality. 

Keystone. — Originated with A. L. Felton, Philadelphia, 
Pa. Described as very large, crimson. An excellent 
variety, although the canes are tender. 

Longworth. — Large, round, deep crimson. One of Dr. 
Brinckle's seedlings. 

Mrs. Ingersoll. — Large, yellow, of fair quality. Raised 
by Dr. Brinckle. 



166 SMATJ. FRUIT CULTURIST. 

Mrs, Wilder. — A seedling of the Colonel Wilder, simi- 
lar in color. Named by Dr. Brinckle. 

Mote's Seedling. — New, from Ohio, of the Rubus Oc- 
cidentalis species. 

IVottingham Scarlet. — Rejected by the American Po- 
mological Society. 

New Everbearing. — ^Noticed in the Proceedings of the 
Cincinnati Horticultural Society, Dec, 1861. 

Princess Alice. — A new, English variety, raised by Cut- 
bush & Son, Highgate, England. 

Richardson. — Noticed in Gardeners' Monthly, 1862, 
p. 339. 

St. Louis. — Fruit large, bright red, sweet, and of the 
best Raspberry flavor; plant hardy. — Coleman's Hural 
World. 

SurpasseMerveille. — Seedling of the OldMerveille des 
Quartre Saisons, yellow, same color and habit, but said to 
be superior to its parent; new. Raised by Simon Louis. 
Announced in the French Catalogues, in 1862. 

Spring Grove. — ^Very prolific but poor flavor. An old 
foreign variety. 

Superb. — A poor flavored, old, foreign variety. 

Superb d'Angleterre. — Large, red. Andre Leroy's 
Catalogue, 1862. 

Taylor's Paragon. — Poor flavor, old. Discarded 
Eui'opean variety. 

Wilmot's Early Red. — An old English variety, of small 
size, deep red, and poor quality. 

Woodward's Red Globe.— Small, red, poor flavor; old. 
Cultivated in England about forty years ago. 

Woodward, — Small, round, crimson; very early; spines 
red. One of Dr. Brinckle's seedlings. 

Selectiok of Varieties. — ^For family use in locations 
where they will succeed, I would select the following 
varieties : Brinckle's Orange, Clarke, Francoaia, Fastolfi, 
French. 



EASPBEREY. 167 

Fob Market. — Hudson River Antwerp, Franconia, for 
particular locations; and Philadelphia and one of the 
Black Cap varieties for general cultivation. If the Clarke 
should prove to be as hardy as heretofore, and grow well 
at the South, then it will take a high rank among the 
market varieties, as weU as for home use. 



CHAPTEB IV. 



BLACKBERRY. 

RUBUS.— Bramble. 

The Blackberry belongs to the same family and genus 
as the Raspberry. The fruit in this case is a collective 
mass of drupes attached to the juicy receptacle — not 
separating as in the Raspberry, but falling off whole. In 
form, the berries are mostly ovate or oblong, brown or 
blackish, occasionally yellowish- white. 

There are about one hundred and fifty species of the 
Blackberry known to botanists, and, like the Raspberry, 
they are distributed over a greater poi-tion of the world. 

Few of the species possess any particular merit worthy 
of the attention of fruit growers of the present time, con- 
sequently I shall confine myself mainly to the indigenous 
species and their varieties. The following six sjDCcies are 
natives of the United States : 

RubuS TillOSUS. — Common High Blackberry. — Stems 
shrubby, two to eight feet high, furrowed, upright or re- 
clining, armed with stout curved j^rickles ; lower surface 
of the leaves hairy and glandular ; leaflets three or pe- 
dately five, ovate, pointed, unequally serrate ; plant varia- 
168 



BLACKBEBET. 



169 



able in size and in its general appearance. Figure 71 
shows a section of the stem of the well known New Ro- 

chelle Blackberry, which is a variety of 

this species. 

R. Canadensis. — Low Blackberry, 
Dewberry. — Shrubby, trailing slightly, 
prickly; leallets three or pedately five to 
seven, oval or ovate-lanceolate, mostly 
pointed, thin, nearly smooth ; flowers in 
racemes with leaf-like, bracts ; fruit mostly 
round, with large grains, sweet and 
pleasant flavor, ripens earlier than M. Vilr 
losus. Very common in dry sandy soils. 

R. hispidilS. — Running Swamp Black- 
berry. — Stems slender, shrubby, mostly 
trailing, with numerous, small, reflexed 
prickles ; leaflets three, rarely five, smooth, 
obovate, coarsely serrate, entire toward 
the base ; flower small, borne on a leafless 
l)eduncle ; fruit jDurple or shining black, 
grains large and few; generally very 
acid. Common in the Northern States, 
in low, damp woods. 
U, cnncifolius. — Sand Blackberry. — One to three feet 

high, shrubby, upright, armed with stout, recurved prickles; 

branchlets and lower surfiice of the leaf, whitish, woolly ; 

leaflets three to five, wedge-obovate, thickish, serrate above ; 

peduncles two to four flowered ; petals large ; fruit medium 

size, of good flavor, black, ripens late. Common in New 

Jersey and southward, in sandy soils. 

R. trivialis. — Low Bush. Blackberry. — Stems shrubby, 
trailing, bristly and prickly; leaves evergreen, coriaceous, 
nearly glabrous ; leaflets three or pedately five, ovate- 
oblong, or lanceolate, sharply serrate, peduncles one to 
three flowered. Sandy soils, from Virginia southward. 
8 



Fig-. 71. 



170 



SMAILL FRUIT CULTTJKIST. 



R. spectablis. — Flowers solitary, of a, 'beautiful purple 
color ; stems without prickles. Native of northwest 
coast of America, on the banks of the Columbia River. 

R, fruticosilSi — Stems straggling, arched, angular and 
leather tomentose; prickles recurved, fruit dark purple 




Fig. 73. — EUROPEAN BLACKPEKKT. 

with a peculiar mawkish flavor. Common European Black- 
berry or Bramble. 

There are several species of the Blackberry found in 
South America, West Indies, and Mexico, but we have no 
cultivated varieties of them, neither do they possess any 
qualities superior to those found in the United States. 

Very little attention is paid to the cultivation of this 



BLACKBEEEY. 171 

fruit except in this country, consequently we have no su- 
perior foreign varieties, nor can we find any practical in- 
fonnation in regard to their cultivation, in any European 
work on gardening. The BlackLerry has no sej)arate his- 
tory from that of the Raspberry, as they are both called 
Bramhies in the old works; and it is evident that it has 
never been considered worthy of any sj^ecial cai'e in any 
country except our own. 

Cnltiyation, Propagation, &c, — The same method of 
cultivation recommended for the Raspberry is also appli- 
cable to the Blackberry. In selecting a soil, a rather dry 
one is preferable to one that is very moist or wet ; neither 
should the soil be as rich as for the Raspberry, because 
the varieties generally cultivated are large, coarse growing 
plants, and if the soil is too rich the canes will grow very 
large and succulent, and will neither be so hardy nor pro- 
ductive as those of a moderate growth. It is also a good 
plan to pinch off the terminal shoots the last of August or 
first of September, to check the growth, and cause the 
canes to more fully ripen than if alloAved to grow undis- 
turbed. The plants should also be given more room than 
the Raspberry, as they usually grow more branching and 
make larger stools. The rows shoiald be at least six feet 
apart, and eight would be still better for tlie larger groAV- 
ing kinds. Staking the plants may be dispensed with if 
they are severely pruned so as to enable them to sustain 
the fruit. Many cultivators, however, always stake and 
tie up their plants, or build cheap trellises with posts and 
wire to which the canes are fastened in the spring at the 
time of pruning. It would be better to take out the old 
bearing canes soon after the fruit is gathered, but this 
would make it necessary to go over the plants twice, while 
if the old canes can be cut out and the young ones pruned 
at the same time, considerable labor is saved. One annual 
pruning is the usual method, choosing the early spring for 
performing this operation. For taking out the old canes % 



172 



SMALL FKUIT CULTUKIST. 



Fie-. 73. 



pair of shears with long- handles (Fig. 73) is used, cutting 
them as near to the ground as 
possible. A simple and equally ef- 
cient pruning implement is made 
by attaching a hooked knife to a 
handle of convenient length, as 
shown in fig. 74. The manner of 
using it is sufficiently ob- 
vious. The young canes 
should be headed back to 
four or five feet, and the 
lateral branches to a foot 
or eighteen inches. If too 
many suckers have grown, 
so that they are likely to 
crowd, then remove a por- 
tion of them, as directed 
for the RasjDberry. All va- 
rieties of the Blackberry 
produce suckers very free- 
ly, and, unless they are 
^vanted, all should be destroyed 
as soon as they appear, except those 
reserved for next season's croj). 
The Blackberry may be propagated as directed for 

the Raspberry, cuttings of the roots usually making the 

best plants. 




Fig. 74. 



VARIETIES. 



Cut-Lcaved. — Fruit roundish, black, grains large, sweet, 
with a slightly musky flavor ; borne in loose panicles, 
stems nearly round, more or less trailing, fertile ones 
erect ; jDrickles small at the base, but recurved and strong 
above, very numerous ; leaves dissected and sharply serrate, 
as shown in figure 75 ; flowers white or rose color. A 



BLACKBERRT. 



173 



variety of the European Blackberry, H. fruticosus, and 
is found in the Catalogues as H. laclniatus, and also as 
the Parsley-leaved Blackberry, It has been sparingly 




Fiff. 75.— CtTT-LEAVED BLACKBERRY. 



cultivated in Europe for many years, also in this country 
for twenty years or more. It is scarcely worth growing, 
except as a curiosity. 



174 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



Cumberland. — Medium size, black, sweet and good, 
quite early, and matures the whole crojj in a comparatively 




Fi<?. 76. — LEAF 0# DORCHESTER. 



short time ; plant quite hardy and productive. This 
variety is largely cultivated by J. Cox, of Bridgeton, N. J., 
and but little known elsewhere. 



BLACKBERRY. 175 

Cape Mayi — Very large, sweet, but quite soft, black 
when first ripe, but soon changes to a dull red. A very- 
good variety for home use, but too tender for market. 

Dorchester. — Fruit large, oblong, oval, slightly pointed, 
black, sweet, rich and excellent, with considerable of the 
wild Blackberry flavor ; leaves broad, oval, with a sharp 
point, as shown in figure 7G ; ripens early, and the berries 
quite firm. An excellent market variety. The canes are 
very vigorous, and iisually quite hardy. Not so produc- 
tive as some, but sufficiently so to make it worthy of ex- 
tensive cultivation. Introduced to iDublic notice by the 
late Josiah Lovett, of Beverly, Mass., in 1850 ; he having 
procured the plants of a gentleman in Dorchester, Mass., 
about 1842. 

Felton. — Very large, long, slightly conical, sweet and 
good ; the berries often very defective ; ripens early ; 
rather of a spreading growth, and not so upright and com- 
pact as some. This was at one time supposed to be the 
same as the Wilson's Early, but it has lately been decided 
by several gentleman of Southern New Jersey, who are 
familiar with both varieties, that it is distinct, and not 
equal to the Wilson's Early in productiveness. Intro- 
duced a few years since by Oscar F. Felton, of Camden, 
New Jersey. 

Holcomb. — Large, roundish-oval, black, sweet, rich and 
excellent ; plant strong, vigorous and productive, similar to 
the Dorchester in size and productiveness, commencirtg 
to ripen about the same time, and continues in fruit for 
several weeks. Introduced to public notice by E. A. PIol- 
comb, of Granby, Conn., in 1855. 

Kittatinnyi — Large to very large, slightly conical, deep 
shining black, moderately firm, sweet, rich and excellent ; 
figure 77 is a fair representation of a well grown cluster ; 
leaves ovate, with rather a long point, as shown in figure 



176 



SMALL FEUIT CULTUrasT. 




Fig. 77.— KITTATINNT. 



BLACKBERRY. 



177 



78, finely and unevenly serrate ; plant a strong and vigor- 
ous grower, and very i^roductive. The fruit begins to ripen 




Tig, 78."— LEAF OF KITTATnmT. 

a few dajs earlier than the New Rochelle, and continues 
for four or five weeks. This is an old variety, although 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



MJ> 



new to the public, as it was not extensively disseminated 
until last yeai', but, so far as known, it is very hardy, and 
promises to be one of the very best varieties known. 
Found, about twenty years ago, by a Mr. Wolverton, 
growing wild in the woods near the Kittatinny Moun- 
tains, in Warren County, New Jersey. 

New RochellC. {Seacor's Mammoth^ Zawton.) — ^Very 
large, irregular, roundish-oval, black, very juicy, and mod- 
erately sweet when fully ripe, but it does not reach this 
jDoint until several days after the fruit has become black, 
at which time it is very soft. A strong and vigorous 
grower, and very productive. The fruit commences rii^en- 
ing rather late, and continues for a long time, 
and unless the soil is naturally moist, or the 
ground covered with a mulch, many of the 
late berries will fail to come to maturity. 
The canes are also rather tender, often win- 
ter-killing, even in the vicinity where it origi- 
nated. The New Rochelle Blackberry has 
probably done more to make this class of 
fruits popular than any other variety, but some 
of the kinds lately introduced are likely to 
supersede it. Found by Lewis A. Seacor in 
the town of New Rochelle, Westchester 
County, N. Y. 

Newman's Thornless. — Medium, roundish- 
oval, black, rather acid, but good when fully 
ripe ; canes slender, nearly round, growing 
only three or four feet high ; sj)ines small, 
short, as shown in figure 79 ; some of the 
canes almost smooth. It is usually very un- 
productive, but occasionally it will produce 
quite a large crop. Discovered growing wild, 
and introduced by Jonas Newman, Ulster County, New 
York. 



'^. 



r 



L 



Fie:. 



BLACKBERRY. 179 

IVeedham's White • — A variety sent out several years 
since, but it is unproductive, and not worth cultivating. 

Wilson's Early^ — Very large, oblong, oval, slightly 
pointed, black, quite firm, sweet, rich and good ; canes 
strong, roundish, not so deeply corrugated as the New 
Rochelle or Dorchester. It is probably a sport of the 
trailing BlackbeiTy, or a cross between it and the high- 
bush. Although the plant is naturally an erect grower, 
still, occasionally, a cane will grow for several feet along 
the ground, and the tip take root, as is usual with the com- 
mon creeping Blackberry, or Dewberry, as it is generally 
called. The fruit ripens very early, and the entire crop 
matures in about two weeks. This peculiarity in riiDening 
gives the grower of it an opportunity of sending the en- 
tire crop to market before other varieties are ripe. It is 
but little known, except in the vicinity where it originated. 
Mr. Wm. Parry, John S. Collins, Jas. S. Williams, and a 
few other fruit growers near Philadelphia, have quite ex- 
tensive plantations of this variety, and from an examina- 
tion of the fruit the past season, I conclude that it will 
prove to be one of the most valuable varieties yet intro- 
duced ; although it would not be advisable for those who 
intend to grow fruit for market to confine themselves en- 
tirely to this one kind, because of its very limited period 
of ripening. Discovered by John Wilson, of Burlington, 
]Sr, J., about 1854. 

The following kinds I have not fruited, neither have I 
any very reliable information in regard to their merits. 

Albion. — Found growing wild at Albion, Edwards 
County, Illinois. The fruit is said to be very large, of a 
pink color. 

Claret. — A new variety, found by D. L. Adais, of 
Hawesville, Ky. Fruit large, of a glossy claret color. 

Col. Wilder. — Fruit bright cream color. Raised by 
John B. Ox'ange, of Albion, Illinois, and named in honor 



180 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 




Fic:. 80.— ■WILSON'S early. 



BLACKBERRY. 181 

of the veteran pomologist, Marshall P. Wilder, of Boston, 
Mass. 

Crystal White. — A new variety from the West. Fruit 
said to be yellowish-white, and of excellent quality. The 
foliage of this variety is very peculiar, inasmuch as tlie 
leaflets are very narrow, almost oblong, lanceolate. It is 
to be hoped that this may prove equal to its reputation at 
the West, because a really good variety of this color 
would be a valuable acquisition. 

Cutter's Mulberry. — Introduced by G. B. Cutter, of 
Newton, Mass., and described in Hovey's Magazine of 
Horticulture, in 1859. 

Dr. Warder. — Color a dark rosy-red. Raised from seed 
by Mr. Orange, the originator of the Col. Wilder, and 
named in honor of Dr. Warder, of Ohio. 

3IaS0U'S Mountain. — A new variety from Nebraska, 
which has not been fruited as yet at the East. 

Washington.— Exhibited by Prof C. G. Page, of Wash- 
ington, D. C, in 1859. I have not seen any notice of it 
since. 

PROFITS OF 'CULTURE. 

The profits derived from the cultivation of the Rasp- 
berry are extremely variable. The first thing to be ascer- 
tained by those who intend planting this fruit extensively 
is, whether there is a good market, and one that is not 
likely to be overstocked. Then find out what kinds are 
the best suited to the location. 

For instance, if one is located in a section where the 
Red Antwerp and similar foreign varieties succeed, then 
it would be safe and perhaps preferable to plant them in- 
stead of others, because their fruit always commands the 
highest price in market. 

In many places at the West, as well as at the East, 
these varieties succeed if protected in winter, and two to 



182 SMALL TKUIT CULTURIST. 

six hundred dollars per acre is no uncommon amount to 
be derived for the fruit ; still there are many locations 
where no amount of care will make them yield enough to 
pay for their culture, consequently other varieties must be 
selected, or Raspberry culture be abandoned. 

In the last few years the Philadelphia Raspberry has 
obtained a great reputation, not because its fruit is supe- 
rior, or even equal to the best varieties of the Antwerp 
class, but because the plant will thrive and produce enor- 
mous crops in soils and locations where the best foreign 
varieties foil. In Southern New Jersey the Philadelphia 
is extensively grown, and four to eight hundred dollars 
per acre are the usual returns from plants when in full 
bearing condition. The Purple Cane is largely grown at 
the West. It is hardy and very productive, but the fruit 
is too soft for sending any great distance, and at the East 
it has been replaced by other varieties. The Black Cap 
Raspberries are also becoming quite popular among fruit 
growers, and their cultivation is found to be very profitable. 

The Blackberry, as a general thing, does not bring 
quite so large a price in market as the Raspberry, but the 
yield per acre is often greater, so that the returns will be 
about equal, 'although, as a rule, they are not genei'ally 
considered as profitable a fruit as the Raspberry. When- 
ever Peaches are plentiful, then late varieties of the Black- 
beriy sell at a very low price. The cost of cultivation, 
gathering and marketing these fruits, is usually from one- 
fourth to one-third of the gross receipts obtained for the 
fruit. 



I 



CHAPTER V. 



DWARF CHERRY. 

NATURAL, FAMILY ROSACEA. 

PRUNUS. SuB-GENTjs, CERASUS.— The Cheery. 

The Cherries, as a class, do not come within the pro- 
posed scope of this work. But there is at least one native 
species that is worthy of being placed among the small 
fruits, and I have introduced it here for the purpose of 
calling the attention of our horticulturists to it, hoping 
that through their efforts a new, distinct, and valuable 
class of Cherries will be originated. 

All of the varieties of the Cherry commonly cultivat- 
ed, .are of foreign origin, and the native species have so 
far resisted all attempts at improvement ; as a general 
thing, there appears to be no affinity between those 
of the eastern and western continent. They will neither 
hybridize, nor the wood unite when worked one upon the 
other. Thus the door seems to be closed against the in- 
termingling of the superior and the inferior, and progress 
only possible by raising seedlings of the native kinds 
without foreign aid. 

There are, however, two indigenous speciee which appear 
to be nearly related to the foreign, at least sufficiently so, to 
18.3 



184 SMALX. FKUIT CTJLTTJRIST. 

admit of being hybridized with it, as the flowers are very 
similar and the wood of the two unites very readily. One 
of these, Frunvs Pennsylvanica, is a tall species, and does 
not come within the scope of this work; but a dwarf one, 
jP. pumila, described by Dr. Gray as follows : 

" Smooth, depressed and trailing, six to eighteen inches 
high; leaves obovate-lanceolate, tapering to the base, 
somewhat toothed near the-apex, pale underneath; flow- 
ers two to four together ; fruit ovoid, dark red. Rocks or 
sandy banks ; ^Massachusetts northward to Wisconsin, and 
south to Virginia along the mountains." 

The above is merely a general descvi^^tion of the species, 
but it varies considerably in difierent locations and soils. 

It is just twenty years since I first became acquainted 
with this species while examining the wild fruits of North- 
ern Michigan, and by referring to my diary of 1846, I 
find the following notes : 

" August 3d, 1846. Thunder Bay Islands, Lake Huron. 
— Visited Hat Island, and foimd Dwarf Cherry, ( Cerasus 
2:>umila,) very abundant. The plants growing on the 
beach in almost pure sand ; bearing stems depressed with 
the weight of fruit ; wonderfully productive. 

Fruit one-half inch long, and three-eighths broad ; dark 
purple, nearly black, sweet, but rather insipid. Suckers 
abundant from the underground stems or roots." 

At the time referred to above, I supposed this species 
was confined to the shores of the lakes, but have since 
learned that it is widely distributed over the Northern 
States. A few years ago, through the kindness of Prof. 
George Thurber, I received some Cherry seeds from Utah 
Territory, and from them raised plants which appear to be 
of the same species as the one described by Dr. Gray, as 
JP. 2)y)nila, and also found by myself at Hat Island. 
There is, however, considerable diflerence in the growth 
of the plants; the one grown from the seeds obtained 
fj-om Utah being more erect, none of the branches trailing 



CHEERY. 185 

as in the species. This peculiarity of growth may not be 
diiFerent from the wild plants found in some localities. 

I have some S23ecimens now four years from seed. They 
are about three feet high ; stem stocky, but the branches 
quite slender, cylindrical and smooth. The bark brown and 
shining on the small twigs, grayish when old. Fruit ovoid, 
about a half-inch long, dark purple, nearly black, sweet, 
with little flavor. I do not consider this Cherry of any 
particular value as it is found in its normal condition ; but 
if we could obtain an improved variety of a similar growth, 
and as hardy and productive, it would certainly be a 
great acquisition. There is no reason why this should not 
be accomplished, for, as I have said, it is nearly related to 
our cultivated varieties, and a hybrid can, and jn-obably 
will be, produced between them. 

The Primus pumila should be selected for the parent 
to supply the seed, and the pollen, for fertilizing its flow- 
ers, taken from the other species. It blooms rather later 
than the Bigarreau, or Morello varieties, but can easily be 
hastened by planting in a warm situation or iinder glass. 

To produce a hybrid between this Dwarf Cherry and 
the larger-growing kinds, reqiiires no greater mechanical 
skill than to cross two varieties of the Strawberry ; an 
operation which I have already described. The stamens 
and pistils in the flowers of the Cherry are large and con- 
spicuous, and cross fertilization a very simjjle operation. 

Here is an opportunity for the enterprising and skillful 
horticulturist to revolutionize Cherry culture, and he who 
first produces a fruit equal to the Great Bigarreau, or 
Early Richmond Cherry, and borne upon a shrub no larger 
than a Currant bush, will not only have his name handed 
down to posterity, but will be very likely to gather golden 
harvests for his labor. 



CHAPTER VI. 



THE CURRANT. 

NATURAL FAMILY GROSSULACE^. 

RIBE3.— The Currant and Gooseberry. 

[French name, GroseiUer commim ; German, Gemeine Johannisbeere ; Dutch, 
Aalbeaseboom ; Italian, Jiibes rogso ; Spanish, G'rossella.'] 

GENERAL CHARACTERS. 

Low, deciduous shrubs, with smooth stems ; leaves 
variable, more or less lobed, in some species nearly heart- 
shajjed ; flowers small, greenish-yellow in the commonly 
cultivated varieties, in others yellow, crimson, or white. 

SPECIES. 

Ribes prostratrunit — Fetid Currant. — Stems reclined; 
leaves deeply heart-shaped, five to seven-lobed, smooth ; 
fruit pale red. In cold, damp woods in most of the North- 
ern States. 

Ribes floridum. — "Wild Black Currant. — Leaves sprink- 
led with resinous dots, slightly heart-shaped, three to 
five-lobed, doubly serrate ; fruit round-ovoid, black, 
smooth, with a slight musky flavor ; leaves also scented. 
Common in low grounds throughout the Northern States 
and Canadas. 
186 



CUBE ANT. 187 

Ribes rubriim.. — Red Currant. — Steins straggling or 
reclined ; leaves somewhat heart-shaped, obtusely three 
to five-lobed, downy beneath when young ; racemes from 
lateral buds distinct from the leaf buds, drooping ; calyx 
flat, greenish or purj^lish ; fruit globose, smooth, red. In 
cold, damp woods and bogs from New England to Oregon. 
Native of Europe-, and probably the same species as our 
common Red and White Currants of the gardens. 

Ribes aurcum. — Missouri Currant. — Stems very strong, 
erect, with light colored bark ; leaves deeply and irregu- 
larly lobed, usually more or less toothed ; flowers yellow, 
in clusters or short racemes ; fruit large, globular, black, 
violet or deep yellow. Native of our Northwestern 
States and Territories. 

Ribes San^uineum. — Red Flowering Currant. — Native 
of the Rocky Mountains and California. Cultivated for 
ornament.. Fruit more or less insipid; not valuable as an 
edible fruit. 

Ribes nigrum. — Black Currant. — ^Leaves three to five- 
lobed ; racemes loose ; flowers greenish-white ; calyx often 
of a rich brownish color ; berries globular, smooth, black ; 
leaves and fruit strongly scented. Native of Northern 
Europe, even to the sub-Alpine regions of Siberia. 

Many other species of Currants are known, but as we 
have no varieties of them cultivated for their fruit, I have 
not thought it advisable to describe them. Those species 
found in Mexico, Chili, Straits of Magellan, and other 
Southern countries, would probably not be hardy in the 
United States. 

HISTORY. 

The species of the Currant, from which our cultivated 
varieties originated, are probably native of Northern Eu- 
rope, as we do not find them mentioned by any of the old 
Greek or Roman writers, who were generally so particu- 
lar to name every fruit known in their day. 



188 SMAIiL FEUIT CULTUEIST. 

The English name Currant, or Corrans, as tliey were 
formerly called, was given them, because of their resem- 
blance to the little Zante Grape, which is called Corinths 
in the English markets, as it was formerly almost en- 
tirely imported from Corinth. 

The Black, Red and White Currant, although known 
to the inhabitants of Northern Europe for centuries, at- 
tracted very little attention until within the past hundred 
years. 

Turner, in 1557, does not name them in his list of culti- 
vated fruits. Gerarde, in 1597, calls the Currant a smooth- 
stemmed Gooseberry. The Black Currant was formerly 
known as the Squinancy berry, because used to cure the 
quinsie. 

The people of Siberia use the leaves of the Black Cur- 
rant for making a drink, the same as we use tea. Loudon 
says that the leaves, when dried, are an excellent substi- 
tute for green tea, and that few persons can detect the 
difference. The Red, White and Black Currants, one va- 
riety of each, were the only kinds known in cultivation 
until the beginning of the present century. Since thnt 
time considerable improvement has been made, and nu- 
merous varieties introduced. 

PROPAGATION. 

By Seeds. — This method is seldom employed, except 
for the purpose of producing new varieties. The fruit 
should be gathered Avhen fully ripe, always selecting the 
largest berries, and from the earliest and mildest fla- 
vored kinds, as the Currant being naturally a very acid 
fruit, the ami should be to produce sweeter varieties. 

The berries may be dried, and the seeds j^reserved in 
the pulp until wanted, or be crushed and the seeds washed 
out, as recommended for Strawberries. They will grow 
more readily if not allowed to become dry, although dry- 
ing is not so injurious to them as it is to many other seeds. 



b 



CUEKANT. 189 

The following plan is one that I have followed with 
success : 

Gather the fruit when ripe and wash out the seeds, then 
mix them with pure sand, and put in boxes or pots, and 
bury them in a shady place, such as the north side of 
some building or fence, where they will remain cool or 
frozen i;ntil the ground, in which they are to be sown, is 
in a condition to receive them. If they are placed in a 
situation where the sun will reach them, they are Vtry 
likely to germinate either during winter or as soon as the 
frost leaves them in the spring, often before the ground 
will admit of their being planted. If the seeds are frozen 
after they have sj^routed, it will usually destroy the germ 
and prevent further growth. With many persons the 
cause of failure in growmg the Currant and Gooseberry 
from seed is, that they either place them in a situation 
where they sprout and cannot grow, or where too warm 
and wet, and when the seeds are taken out to be sown in 
sjiring they appear to be sound, yet their vitality is gone. 

The seeds of all the sj^ecies of Ribes will germinate at 
a very low temperature, and if we keep them moist, and 
where they do not freeze, they are very liable to start be- 
fore the open ground is in a condition to receive them. 
The seeds may be sown immediately after being taken 
from the fruit, but in sections of the country where the 
weather, is very changeable, and the ground is frequently 
frozen and thaAved, there is more or less danger of injury 
from causes above stated. If the seeds are kept dry dur- 
ing winter, they should be soaked in warm water for two 
or three days before sowing. 

Sow in single or wide drills, covering the seed one-half 
of an inch deep with fine soil. Keep them clear of weeds, 
and if the weather is dry, give them occasionally a good 
soaking with water. 

Transplant, when one year old, into rows three feet 
apart, and the plants two feet apart in the rows. 



180 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST, 



Propagation by Cuttings. — Cuttings of the ripe wood 
may be made at any time, from the falling of the leaf in 
autumn until tlie plants commence growth in spring. 
But when the best possible results are desired, they should 
be taken oiF as soon as the wood is fully ripe. 

Select good strong wood of the present season's growth, 
and make the cuttings about six inches long, cutting them 
off smooth, just at the base of a bud. Figures 81 and 83 
show two cuttings (much reduced in size) 
as prepared for planting. Figure 81 is a 
cutting of the common Black Currant, 
and figure 82 a cutting of the Cherry 
Currant. The first has much larger and 
more prominent buds than the latter. 
If all the buds, except two or three of 
the upper ones, are cut out before setting, 
the plant will not produce as many suck- 
ers as though they were allowed to re- 
main. The advisability of this plan will 
depend entirely upon the manner in Avhich 
the plants are to be grown, whether in 
tree or stool ; if in the former, disbud, if 
not, plant them entire. 

When the cuttings ai-e prepared, plant 
as directed for other ripe wood cuttings, 
in chapter 11. The cuttings should be 
covered with straw or some similar ma- 
terial, sufficient to keep out the frost, or, 
at least, to prevent the ground from 
frequently freezing and thawing during winter. Re- 
move the covering at the return of warm weather, or 
enough of it to allow the young shoots to grow through 
without hindrance. Cuttings planted early in fall will 
usually become rooted by the time winter sets in, and 
this too, without their buds pushing into leaf The next 
season they will make a far better growth than if their 




Fig. 83. 



CURRANT. 191 

planting is deferred until spring. Fall planting of Cur- 
rant cuttings is practiced by most of our leading nursery- 
men of the present time, especially by those whose nur- 
series are upon soils or in sections of the country where 
the Currant ripens its wood early in autumn. The cut- 
tings may be made in the fall ; if it is not convenient to 
plant them then, they may be tied in bundles, and buried 
in the open ground or cellar until spring — but as the 
Currant is one of the earliest plants to show its leaves, the 
cuttings should be planted as early as possible. 

When a variety is scarce and valuable, the cuttings may 
be made very short, — two or three inches in length will 
answer the purpose, but they require a little more care in 
handling and planting, as well as keeping the ground 
moist, until they become rooted. 

Another method is to make cuttings of one bud, with 
a small portion of wood attached, say half an inch above 
the bud and the same below, planting in pots or boxes of 
sand or sandy loam, laying the cuttings down wath the 
eye or bud on the iij^per side, covering them about half an 
inch deep. After the cuttings have been placed in the 
soil, the pots should be set where tlie temperature will 
not be above fifty, and keep moist for a few weeks, until 
the callus is formed. Then put them in a propagating 
house or hot-bed, where they will receive a steady heat, 
but not above 75 or 80 degrees. As soon as well rooted, 
pot them off into small thumb pots, and after these have 
become well filled with roots, either shift into larger ones 
or plant into the oi^en ground, being careful not to break 
the ball of earth which contains the roots. 

The single bud cuttings will sometimes grow quite 
readily if planted in the open ground, provided the sur- 
face of the soil above them is covered with a mulch — saw- 
dust or tan-bark are better for mulching the cutting-bed 
than straw or leaves. 

The Currant may also be grown very readily from green 



192 SMALL rnuiT culturist. 

cuttings taken from the plants as they grow in the open 
ground. They should Ibe taken off as soon as the plants 
have made a growth of two or three inches. Slip off the 
young growth close to the old wood, and plant the same 
as other green wood cuttings in a frame, propagating 
house, or under bell-glasses. 

These green cuttings require but a moderate degree of 
heat, and will often succeed in a half shady situation in 
the open ground if covered with glass. It is better, how- 
ever, with very rare kinds, to take up the plants in fall, 
and put them in a pot and set in a propagating house ; 
then take off the young wood, as soon as it is large enough 
for cuttings ; in this manner every shoot that appears can 
be made a strong plant by spring. 

Propagation by Suckers. — This was formerly a more 
common method of propagating than at present, but 
plants produced in this manner are not usually as good as 
those from cuttings. The suckers that spring from the 
roots are slipped off close at their base, and then planted 
out, as usual with other plants. 

Pkopagatiox by Layers. — Branches, when bent down 
and covered with soil, or even pegged to the surface and 
then covered with a mulch, will readily take root. 

The spring is the best time to perform this operation, 
because the layer will become well rooted by autumn. 
Leave the end of the branch uncovered, only burying that 
portion on which it is desirable to produce roots. 

Li the fall, separate the layer from the parent plant, and 
heel-in until spring. Cuttings grow so readily, that the 
last two named methods of propagation are but seldom 
practiced with the Currant. 

SOIL AND CULTIVATION. 

The Currant is a plant that possesses great vitality, and 
will grow in almost any kind of soil or situation, but to 
bring it to perfection, and make its culture profitable, it 



CUERANT. 193 

requires good culture, and a deep rich soil. It succeeds 
better in a heavy loam, approaching a clay, than in a light 
sandy soil. But, whatever the character of the soil, two 
things are important for producing the best results, — a 
deej) soil and a rich one. It being what may be called 
a gross feeder, manure of almost any kind may be apjilied 
witli impunity, and in almost any quantity. 

To a few persons this may seem to be a singular recom- 
mendation, inasmuch as we usually see, in traveling 
through the country, Currant bushes growing in the fence 
corners, or in rows where the grass has taken possession 
of the soil and formed a tough sod about the plants, and 
still they live and bear fruit. Yet, while I admit that tlie 
Currant will live under such treatment, and in quite poor 
soils, it never produces as large or as much fruit as when 
it has good culture and a rich soil. 

For field culture the plants should-be set in rows four 
or five feet apart, and about four feet in the row. 

Clean cultivation is required as with other plants, and 
if the whole surface of the soil is covered Avith mulch dur- 
ing summer, it will not only insure the maturing of the 
crop, but will materially increase the size of the fruit. 

North of the latitude of New York City, there is but 
little trouble in obtaining a full crop of Currants almost 
every season, but South of this, and particularly on sandy 
soils, the dry weather often begins so early that the plants 
ripen, and the leaves fall before the fruit comes to maturi- 
ty. Deep rich soil and mulching are the best luethods for 
preventing this. 

PRUNING AND TRAINING 

Tlie most common modes of training are what is termed 
the bush or stool form, and the tree shape. To grow the 
bushes in the stool form, it is only necessary to set out 
the plants singly, and allow them to throw up suckers 
from the main stem or roots, which all the varietiQ^ 
9 



194 SHALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

and species do quite readily. The young shoots may he 
shortened or entirely removed, for the purpose of giving 
the hush a regular shape, and make it open or compact, 
as desired. 

The varieties of the JRihes ruhrwn, to which species our 
common Red and White kinds belong, are usually grown 
in this form, especially when cultivated in large quantities, 
and for market purposes. 

The fruit is mainly produced on the wood two or more 
years old, and when a branch has borne two or three 
crops, it is best to remove it and allow a new one to take 
its i^lace, as young wood generally produces larger fruit 
than that which is veiy old. 

About all the pruning that is necessary is to cut out, oc- 
casionally, tlie old wood, and shorten the most vigorous 
of the young growth. 

If too many young shoots or suckers appear, and they 
are likely to become crowded, a portion of them should 
be cut out, so that the air and sun may have free access 
to those that remain. 

All dead or diseased shoots should be annually removed, 
and only the best and most luxuriant ones preserved. If 
the ends of the growing shoots are pinched oif during the 
sunnner, it will cause them to become more stocky and 
fully ripe, while at the same time it will increase the size 
of the fruit which may be on the branch below. 

The main object should be to properly develop every 
portion of the plant, and this cannot be done if it becomes 
crowded, either with old or new wood. 

A half dozen large, vigoi-ous shoots will give more and 
larger fruit than double that number of weak and imma- 
ture ones. 

When the plants are to be trained with single stems, 
the system should be commenced with the cutting, dis- 
budding that portion which is placed below ground, and 
when those above ground push, rub off all but one, and 



CUKKANT. 195 

train that erect ; the next season cut it back to within a 
foot or eighteen inches of the ground. Allow three to 
six shoots to gi'ow the second season, and at equal distances 
around the stem, if possible. The third season, shorten 
these branches, and allow six to twelve shoots to be pro- 
duced, and so on from year to year, pruning out and head- 
ing in, keeping the head open and the branches arranged 
in a vase form, or as near it as convenient. In some soils 
single stem plants Will live and produce abundantly for 
eight to ten years, and while young, the fruit will be larger 
than when groAvn in thick, compact bushes. For amateurs 
the single stem system is a very convenient and pretty 
method, and if a plant fluls, it may be rejjlaced without 
any particular loss, but for field culture I prefer the clump 
or bush form, because it is less trouble, and there is dan- 
ger of the plants being killed by the Currant Borer, for if 
one of these gets into the single stemmed plant it destroys 
it, and a new one must be planted or trained up from one 
of the many suckers which will usually start from the 
roots after the main stem has been removed. 

With the Black Currant the case is somewhat different ; 
being naturally a much stronger grower, the stems becom- 
ing quite large and coarse, they will live for many years, 
and there is but little danger of insects injuring them. 
Neither do these require so much pruning as other varie- 
ties ; still, enough should be done to give the bush a regu- 
lar, open head, as well as to cut out all small, weak shoots. 
The young, one year old shoots should not be shortened so 
severely as Avith other varieties, unless it is necessary for 
the purpose of giving the plant some particular form, be- 
cause fruit is produced on the one year old wood as well 
as upon small spur-like shoots on the old. The varieties 
of the Eihes nigrum, (European Black Currant,) and the 
Rihes floridum, and R. aureiin, form much larger bushes 
than any of the other species ; consequently they should 
be allowed more room. If planted in rows, they should 



196 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

be five to six feet apart, if it is desirable to have them 
grow to full size, although they are readily kept within a 
much less space, but much fruit will be lost by severe 
pruning. These coarse growing species usually produce 
better and larger fruit on old plants than on the young, 
provided they are given good culture, and all little, weak 
shoots are annually cut out, so that those remaining will 
be fully developed. 

The tree form is preferable to the bush or clump for all 
the varieties of the species last named. 

INSECTS AND DISEASES. 

Insects injurious to the Currant and Gooseberry have 
long been known in Europe, and it would be very strange 
indeed if we should not import them along with the 
plants annually arriving from those countries. 

This we have done in many instances, and in a few lo- 
calities the Currant has been seriously injured by these 
foreign pests. 

Probably the most destructive insect to the Currant, in- 
troduced or known in this country, is the Currant Worm, 
or Avhat is known in England ns the larva of the Magpie 
Moth {Ahraxis grossulariata). 

This insect has been very destructive in Central New 
York for more than twenty years, commencing in the east- 
ern portion and gradually j^assing westward. It is said, 
however, that it has ceased almost entirely its depreda- 
tions, and very few were seen the past year. It will 
probably make its appearance in some other section very 
soon, if it has not already done so. 

Personally, I have had no experience with the insect, 
never having seen one; consequently the following re- 
marks are gathered from sources which I have thought re- 
liable : 

Dr. Asa Fitch, in his reports to the New York State 
Agricultural Society, in 1847, page 461, mentions what 



CUKBANT. 



197 



he supposes to be a new species of this insect, under the 
name of Abraxis ribearla. Ten years later he again re- 
fers to it as the European species, but whether it is dis- 
tinct from the Abraxis grossulariata or not, I leave for 
entomologists to decide. 

The moths make their appearance in June, depositing 
their eggs uj)on the leaves of the Currant, Gooseberry, 
Plum and various other plants. They are of a dull, nankeen- 
yellow, with broad bands of brown on each wing. 

In Figure 83, at the uj^per and right hand, is shown the 




Fig. 84.— CURRANT WORM. 



male moth, and at the left the female, while on the leaf 
above may be seen a worm as it appears when feedino-. 



198 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

Another worm is shown suspended from the edge of the 
leaf, as they appear when lettmg themselves down to the 
ground ; while below it is the pupa, in which form the 
Avorm remains in the ground during winter. The worms 
are about an inch long, of a lively yellow color, covered 
with small black dots. English gardeners recommend 
dusting the plants and worms with pow^dered white helle- 
bore. This remedy has been used in this country with 
good eiFect. 

There are several other w'orms injurious to the Currant, 
because they feed upon the leaves ; but their numbers are so 
few that they have not, up to the present time, caused 
any considerable injury. 

There is, however, another class of insects that attacks 
the stems and does considerable damage. Among the most 
destructive of these are what is called the Currant Borers. 

There are several species ; the following three are the 
best known : 

Prenocerus SlipernotatllSi — American Currant Borer. — 
" This is a small, cylindrical, white worm, destitute of feet, 
and with a small, chestnut-brown head, and black jaws, 
passing its pupa state in the stalks, and, the latter part 
of May changing to a small, slender, long-horned beetle, 
of a black color, edged with chestnut brown; its wing 
covers each with two, small, gray spots forward of their 
middle, and a white crescent shaped one towards their 
tips."— Fitch. 

Trochiliilin tipiilifornic. — European Currant Borer. — 
This is quite common in the Eastern States, and we seldom 
receive Currant bushes from Europe that do not contain 
more or less of these pests. It is too well known to re- 
quire a description. The moth is probably not so familiar, 
and I give the description given it by Di-. Fitch, in the New 
York Agricultural Report, 1859 : " A small moth, having 
some resemblance to a wasp, its wings being clear and 



I 



CUREANT. 199 

glossy, the fore jjair opaque, yellowish at the tips, with a 
black marghi and band near the middle, and the abdomen 
black, with three yellow bands situated one upon each 
alternate segment ; width 0.65 to 0,85." 

Trochilium caudatum. — Harris. — This species infests 
our native wild Currant, {Rlbes floridum^) and it resem- 
bles somewhat the European species. 

To destroy these borers, the plants should he examined 
every fall or during winter, and every shoot that has a 
borer in it will usually be of a brown color, or slightly 
wilted ; sometimes, when the shoots are very vigorous, no 
difference can be observed, but by close inspection the 
small hole where the Avonn entered can be found. All 
shoots containing worms should be cut out, and the worm 
destroyed. In this way they may be checked, if not en- 
tirely eradicated. 

In making cuttings, the same care should be given, and 
every hollow stem examined for borers, and if found, de- 
stroyed. 

VARIETIES. 

NATIVE SPECIES. 

American Black. — Rihes floridum. — Fruit medium, 
roundish-ovoid, black ; clusters small, tapering. Seldom 
cultivated, but worthy of it, if for no other purpose than 
to produce new varieties, as it is naturally a better flavored 
fruit than the European Black Currant. 

Deseret. — Bibes aureum. — Fruit very large, round, 
black or dark violet, with a slight bloom, sub-acid and 
agreeable flavor; flowers yellow; a strong and rapid 
grower, and very productive Avhen the jilant attains its 
full growth. A variety of the Missouri Currant {Ribes 
aureum). It is highly valued by the Mormons at Salt Lake 
City, from whence I received it a few years since. This 



200 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

should become the parent of a new and valuable class of 




Fig. 84. — LEAF OF DESERET. 



Currants, as it possesses many good qualities and few 
defects. Figure 84 shows a leaf of this variety. 

Golden. — Large, round, deep golden-yellow, very acid, 
and slightly bitter ; flowers yellow. Of no value for its 
fruit, but might be improved. Native of the Rocky 
Mountains, and a variety of M. aurewn. 

Missouri Black. — Very large, jet black, hard, dry, and 



CURRANT. 



201 



bitter; of no value, except as an ornamental slirul) ; 
flowers yellow, fragrant. There is another resembhng 
this, except that the fruit is edible, but not very good. 
All the varieties of the K. aureum have deeply lobed 




LEAF OF MISSOURI BLACK. 



leaves, while the M. sangidneum, (Red Flowering Cur- 
rant,) which is found west of the Rocky Mountains, has 
leaves of the form shown in figure 85. 

Sweet Fruited Missouri, — Large, black, roundish-ovoid ; 
bunches small, containing few berries ; sweet, musky fla- 
vor. A variety of JR. Jloridum, and not of the M. 
aureum, as its name would indicate. It is a very slight 
improvement upon the common wild Black Currant, 
which may be found in almost any low, moist woods. 
9* 



202 SilAIX FRTJIT CULTURIST. 

The Mormons claim to have several valuable varieties na- 
tive of the Salt Lake region, but whether they will prove 
valuable or worthy of being extensively cultivated is very 
uncertain. There is one thing quite certain, and that is 
that we have native species that possess qualities equal, if 
not superior, to those found in any other country, and 
equally susceptible of imijrovement. 

rOEEIGX VAPaETIES. 

Before proceeding to describe the different kinds, I Avill 
give a brief synopsis of the difficulties that I have met in 
endeavoring to ascertain which were distinct varieties. 

It is well known that plants of similar kinds often be- 
come intermingled through the carelessness of workmen. 
Sometimes packages will become broken while being 
transported from one portion of the country to another, 
and several kinds become mixed together. Thus it will 
be seen that mixed varieties become very common from 
accidental causes. 

About ten years ago, I commenced collecting the vari- 
ous kinds of Currants with the express purpose of ascer- 
taining their true merits, and to determine which Avere 
really distinct varieties. 

To do this has cost me infinitely more labor and 
money than I shall be likely to receive from the proceeds 
of this volume, and still I fear that the results will be less 
satisfactory to the public than any other portion of the 
work. 

I have not depended upon varieties obtained from any 
one source, either in Europe or America, but have gath- 
ered them from the best nurseries of France, Prussia, 
Germany, England, Ireland, and' the United States. 

In the prosecution of my labors and researches, I have 
had the good fortune to be able to avail myself of the in- 
valuable experience and extensive collection of Mr, Chas. 
Downing. His experience extends over a period of more 



CUEKANT. 



203 



than forty years, and when, a few years since, I informed 
him of my purpose of writing tliis book, and requested 
his assistance particularly upon the Currant and liasp- 
berry, he cheerfully took hold of the work, and in addi- 
tion to his then very complete collection, he sent to the 
diiferent growers of Europe and of this country for speci- 
mens of all the new, as well as old varieties. Not depend- 
ing upon one importation, he has obtained a new set almost 
every year, and by keeping them separate, we have had 
an opportunity of determining which were really distinct 
varieties. For the past three seasons we have met, at the 
time the fruit was ripe, and gone over the entire collec- 
tion, carefully comparing them, and the following list is 
the result : 




Fig. 86. — LEAP OF ATTRACTOR. 

Attractor. — Large, yellowish-white ; bunch medium, 
loose. A slow grower, but quite productive. Not equal 



204 



SMALL FRUIT CULTTIRIST. 



to the White Dutch in flavor. The leaves are sraall and 

deeply lobed or toothed, as shown in figure 86. From 

France. 

Buist's Lon^-Bunched Red.— Large, deej^ red, of similar 

flavor as the Red Dutch ; leaves large and very thick ; 
serratures sharp - pointed ; a 
strong and vigorous grower, and 
very productive. Originated 
with R. Buist, Philadelphia, Pa. 
ChaDipa^nc. {Pheasant's Eye, 




\ 



Fis:. 87. — CHEERY CURRANT. 



CHERRY CURRANT. 



Grossellier a Fruit coideur d& chair.) — Large, pale pink 
or flesh color, quite acid, and not rich flavored ; bunches 
medium, loose, slightly tapermg ; vigorous and j^roduc- 
tive. Much admired for the pretty appearance of its 
fiuit. Ripens late. 

Cherry. {Imperial Rouge, or Med Imperial^ Large Red 
Anger s, La Caucase, Fertile d^ Angers of Leroi/, Irish 
Grape, Macrocarpa, Napoleon. Red.) — Very large, dark 



CURRANT. 205 

red, acid, not rich, only second rate ; bunch variable, from 
short to quite long, scarcely tapering, figure 87, and figure 
88 showing the variations on the same plant; leaves large, 
deep green, bluntly lobed, thick and tough ; very distinct 
from the Red Dutch and its varieties. Plant a coarse 
grower, the young shoots being very strong and stocky ; 
very productive, but the old branches becoming naked, 
often produce two or three crops. The largest Red Cur- 
rant in cultivation, and commands the highest price in 
market. Some of the varieties placed as synonyms of 
the Cherry were probably raised from seed, but as I have 
not been able to discover wherein they differ, I think it 
folly to call them by different names. 

Versailles. —Very large; bunch, long, and slightly 
tapering ; dark red, acid, and by many it is considered to 
be a better flavored variety than the Cherry, but by others 
very similar, if not identical. 

The principal points of distinction claimed are, that the 
Versailles is not so acid as^he Cherry, and that the bunches 
are more tapering. But like variations may be observed in 
other well known varieties, and upon plants growing in 
close proximity. At one time, I thouglit that there was 
a difference in the growth and foliage of the two kinds, 
but more experience has not confirmed me in this opinion. 

Although I am not ready to say positively that there is 
no distinct variety to which the name of Versailles be- 
longs, still I have not as yet been able to obtain one in 
which really distinct and permanent variations can be dis- 
covered. I shall continue, as heretofore, to keep all the 
different importations of my own, as well as those of Mr. 
Downhig, separate and distinct, and shall be most happy 
to receive any information from other growers which shall 
enable me to decide this very perplexing question. 

Dana's White. — A new variety from Massachusetts. 
Not fully tested. Said to be large and excellent. I have 



206 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



been exceedingly unfortunate in procuring this variety, 
having purchased, from what I supposed to be a reliable 
source, five distinct varieties under the name of Dana's 
White. 

Fertile de PallliaUt — Large, and of same color as Red 
Dutch, but not so juicy or good, 
A strong and vi2:orous o-rower, and 
very productive. The leaves re- 
semble the Red Dutch, but are 
larger. Figure 89. 

Gondouin Red. — Berry and 
bunch medium size ; fruit light red, 
of rather poor flaA^or ; foliage large, 
coarse, light green ; serratures of 
leaf sharp, coarsely veined, upper 
surface slightly wavy. A very vig- 
orous grower, and may prove to 
bo the Red Provence, 

Gondoifin White, — I liave been 
imable to obtain a distinct variety 
under this name. White Grape be- 
ing the one usually received. 

Gloire des Sablons. — Fruit and 
bunch small, white, distinctly strip- 
ed with red, acid, poor flavor; of 
no value, except as a curiosity; 
plant a strong, upright and vigor- 
ous grower, not very productive. 

Gros Rouge d'Angers. {Large 
Med Angers.) — See Cherry. 
Holland Long Grape.— The one 

received from L, Leroy, of France, is the Victoria, and 
one from Andre Leroy, the Red Provence, 

Imperial Yellow. {ImperialJaune, White Imperial.) 
— Identical with the White Grape, with perhaps a slight 




-FERTILE DE 
PAIiLUAU. 



CURKANT. 207 

difference iu the growth of the plant. It appears to be a 
more stocky and upright grower, at least while young. 

Imperial Rou^e. — See Cherry Currant. 

Knight's Large Red, — Very similar to, if not identical 
with, the Red Dutch. 

Knight's Early Red. — Same as the last, and no earlier. 

Knight's Sweet Red. — Large, very dark red; bunch 
long, tapering ; similar iu quality to the Red Dutch, but 
apparently not quite so acid ; growth vigorous, upriglit ; 
leaves dark green, of medium size, thick and coarsely ser- 
rate. The general appearance of the plant distinct from 
the Red Dutch. Moderately productive. This may have 
been received under the wrong name, and perhaps it is 
the Knight's Large Red, which. Rivers says, is a valuable 
variety. 

La Hativc. {La Hative de Bertln^ La Fertile^ — I am 
not certain which of the above names should be placed 
first, although the varieties received under each have all 
proved to be the same. Evidently nearly related to the 
Cherry Currant, as the general appearance of the plant 
resembles it very much, but of a less vigorous growth. 
Color of fruit and form of bunch same as Cherry, but 
only about two-thirds the size ; ripens a few days earlier, 
and is not quite so acid, yet too much so to be called good ; 
productive. 

Prince Albert. — Large, light red, sometimes slightly 
striped with dark red ; bunch medium, tapering ; rather 
acid, firm, of inferior quality, moderately vigorous, up- 
right ; leaves small ; lobes long, pointed, sharply serrate ; 
very productive. 

Red Dutch. {Large Red Dutch, New Bed Dutch, Long 
Bunched Bed, Morgan's Bed, Grossellier Bouge a Grosse 
Fruit.) — Large, deep red ; bunches long, tapering, rich, 
juicy, good. One of the best. A vigorous, erect grower, 
and very productive. Well known. 



208 



SMALL FKUIT CFLTUEIST. 



Red Grape. — Large, dark red ; bunch compact, long, 
slightly tapering ; foliage medium, not shining, as with 
Red Dutch ; moderately vigorous, and of a rather stocky 
growth. 

Red Provence. — Small, dark red; bunches long; very 
acid, liable to rof before riijening, ^ 

quite late, altogether inferior ; the (f 

young shoots red. A very ram- 
pant, coarse grower. 

Striped Fruited. ( Grosse Weiss- 
xind Mothgestreifte Johannisheere. ) 
— An old variety, "with fruit same as 
Gloire des Sablons, but the plant 
a short, stocky grower ; the termi- 
nal buds on the young shoots quite 
cons2)icuous. Of no value. 

Transparent White. — Claimed 
to be a seedling of White Grape, 
but, if so, it has assumed all the 
characteristics of its ]>arcnt, and I 
am unable to see any diiFcrcnce. 

Versailles. — See page 205. 

Victoria. — {May's Victoria, 
Houghton Castle, Rahy Castle, 
Goliath, Wilmofs Red Grape, and 
Red Grape of some nurseries.) — 
Large, light, bright red ; bunch 
(figure 90) very long, often six or 
seven inches, tapering ; sprightly 
acid, good flavor ; leaves medium, 
rather thin ; lobes long ; serratures 
rounded, or with a short point ; 
young branches rather slender, although vigorous, spread- 
ing ; very productive. A valuable variety for home use. 




Fiff. 90. — VICTORIA. 



CUKBANT. 



209 



White Grape. ( White Antwerp, White Transparent.) 

— Large, yellowish-white, transparent; bunch medium, 

slightly tapering (fig. 91) ; juicy, 

sw^eet, rich; the best "White 

Currant ; moderately vigorous, 

slender, spreading habit ; leaves 

medium size, sharply serrate, 

with a grayish green color, not 

shining ; very productive. 

White Dutch. ( White Clin- 
t07i, New White Dutch, Clarke's 
Sweet, White Crystal, Heeves'' 
White, MorgarCs White, White 
Leghorn, White Transparent, 
White Holland, White Pearl.) 
— Large, yellowish-white, but 
quite transparent ; bunches a 
little shorter than the Red Dutch, 
and berries larger, sweet, rich 
and good; a vigorous, upright 
grower, and very productive. 

White Provence. — Very 
large, yellowish- white ; bunch 
ratlier short, tapering. About 
the same in quality as the White Dutch, but not quite 
equal to White Grape. The most vigorous of all the 
White varieties, evidently of the White Dutch class. 
Leaves large, thick, more or less edged with white, as 
shown in figure 92 ; productive, but not equally so Avith 
the White Grape. 




Fig. 91. — WHITE GRAPE. 



BLACK CURRANTS. 



{Hibes nigriirn.) 



Black English. ( Common Black, Bang-up Black., 
Cassis a Fruit noir.) — Large, black, but few in a cluster. 



210 



SMALL FRUIT CULTFRIST. 



"Well known, and but little cultivated at the present time, 
having been superseded by the following : 

Black NapleSt ( Cassis Boyal of Naples?) — Very large, 
often three-fourths of an inch in diameter, black, sweet, 
but of musky flavor ; clusters are medium, tapering, loose ; 




Fig. 93. — LEAF OF WHITE PROVENCE. 

very vigorous grower, and productive, when the plants 
have attained considerable age and size; leaves, stems and 
fruit have a rank and musky scent, which is very disa- 
greeable to many, but to otliers delightful. 

Black Grape. {Ogden's Black Grape)—Frm.i same 



CURE ANT. 211 

as Black Naples, but the bush is more stocky, and not so 
tall a grower. A marked difference may be observed in 
the hight of the plants when growing in adjoining rows. 

Brown Fruited. {Green Fruited, Russian Green.) — 
A variety of the Black English, with greenish-brown 
fruit ; berries hard, dry, and rank flavored. Not worth 
cultivating. 

There are several new varieties lately introduced from 
France, but they have not been sufiiciently tested iij tliis 
country to determine whether they possess any superior 
merits, or are different from those we have already tested. 

PROFITS OF CULTURE, USES, &c. 

Currants are not, as a general thing, consumed in as 
large quantities as some other kinds of our small fruits. 
Still there is scarcely a garden, however small, in city or 
country, in which a few Currant bushes are not cultivated. 

The extreme acidity of our more common varieties is 
probably one reason wdiy larger quantities of them arc not 
used in their natural state. Currant jelly is one of the in- 
dispensable conserves of which no good housekeeper neg- 
lects to lay by a store at the proper time, but it has not 
been known as an article of commerce until within a very 
recent period. 

Our markets, as a general rule, have been very Avell sup- 
plied, and often the price obtained for Currants has been 
far below a profitable point. But of late years, since our 
great fruit-preserving establishments have been started, the 
demand has increased, and the supply is falling behind. 
Here let me mention a fact which, I fear, some of our 
fruit growers, as well as others, do not fully understand, 
and it may also explain why the prices of certain kinds of 
fruit appear to increase in exact ratio to the supply. It 
is this : "VYhen the proprietors of one of these large es- 
tablishments can go into market and purchase fifty thous- 
and baskets of Strawberries, Raspberries, or other similar 



212 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

fruits, lie can afford to make a specialty of that one kind 
for one, two or more days, engaging the entire apparatus 
and force of his establishment upon it ; but, if only a few 
hundred baskets can be obtained at any one time, then it 
will not pay him to attempt to preserve any. Thus it 
will be seen that we may supply or glut a market with a 
few hundred baskets or pounds of a particular kind; 
when, if the supply was thousands of baskets, or tons in- 
stead, there Avould soon be a scarcity. Jiist as soon as it 
is known that any good kind of fruit can be had in abun- 
dance, there will be means found for disposing of it, and 
usually at a better price than when there is a compara- 
tive scarcity. Capital is usually drawn into channels 
where it can be employed continuously as well as profita- 
bly. Gail Borden's process for condensing milk has been 
successfully applied to the juice of the Currant, and a 
similar substance to the common jelly manufactured with- 
out sugar, and at less than half the cost. In the con- 
densed form. Currant juice may be transported to any por- 
tion of the globe, and become an article of commerce. 
When water is added, it again becomes a liquid — valuable 
for medicinal purposes, as well as a luxury. Vessels start- 
ing upon long voyages would do well to lay in a supj^ly 
of this article, for there are many diseases which are more 
or less prevalent on ship-board, particularly when in tropi- 
cal climates, in which a free use of Currant juice would be, 
at least, beneficial to the patient, if not a curative. 

The red Currants are more generally used for making 
jellies than the white, but Avhy, it would be difficult to 
tell. Perhaps it is like many other anomalies Ave observe 
in market, the cause of which can only be attributed to a 
more general acquaintance with the kind, or to an attrac- 
tive color. The white Currants, as a class, are of a richer 
flavor and less acid than the Red. 

The Black Currants are not so acid as the red and 
white varieties, but their strong musky flavor is not, as a 



CUKE ANT. 213 

rule, agreeaWe to the American taste ; yet, like many 
other fruits of strong flavor, it gradually becomes less ob- 
jectionable, until at last, thi'ough familiarity, a taste for it 
is acquired, and then it is appreciated and valued as highly 
as any other. Every year there appears to be an increas- 
ing demand for. the Black Currants, and the time will soon 
come, if it has not ali'eady arrived, when they w^ill com- 
mand full prices and be sold in large quantities. Currant 
wine made from the different kinds is a well known article, 
but whether its manufacture should be encouraged, or 
otherwise, I will leave to the temperance societies to de- 
cide. The price of Currants in our eastern markets varies 
from four to fifteen cents per pound ; usually the largest 
and best varieties will bring ten cents at wholesale. At 
the last named price, four to six hundred dollars per acre 
can be obtained. 

In planting the common red and white kinds, four feet 
each way is sufticient, thus giving 2,722 plants per acre. 
If we estimate our crop at two pounds per plant, which is 
not one-half the amount they should produce when fully 
grown, we will get 5,444 pounds per acre, or over two 
tons and a half, and at two hundred dollars per ton it 
amounts to over five hundred dollars. Then we have the 
gathering, shipping, cultivation, and other incidental ex- 
penses to deduct therefrom. But even then it can be seen 
that it will be a very profitable crop. In ease of great 
abundance the prices might be somewhat reduced, but by 
good cultivation the crop may be double the estimate 
given above. 

The Currant possesses many good qualities to recom- 
mend it ; among which are its perfect hardiness, early cul- 
ture, great productiveness, and almost the certainty of a 
full crop every year. 



CHAPTER VII. 



GOOSEBERRY. 

NATURAL FAMILY GROSSULACE^. 

[Sibes Grossiilaria, of Botanists ; Bibes Uva Crispa, of Linnaeus ; Ch'osseiller^ of 
the French ; Stachdbeere-strauch, German ; Uva-spina, Italian ; Grossella, Spanish ; 
Kruisbes, of the Dutch.] 

GENERAL CHARACTER. 

Low, deciduous shrubs ; stems mostly bearing thorns 
at the base of the leaf-stalks, in some the spines or prickles 
scattered, usually more abundant at the base of the 
stems than above ; leaves alternate, palmately lobed ; 
fruit a one-celled berry, produced in small clusters, smooth 
or prickly. 

SPECIES. 

The following are indigenous to the United States, ac- 
cording to Dr. Gray and Chapman. 

Ribes Cynosbati. — Wild Gooseberry. — Leaves pubes- 
cent ; peduncles slender, two to three flowered ; spines 
strong ; berry large, armed with long prickles, Uke a burr, 
rarely smooth. 

R. hirtellum. — Smooth Gooseberry. — Leaves somewhat 
pubescent beneath ; peduncles very short, one to two 
214 



GOOSEBERRY. 215 

flowered ; stems eitlier smooth or prickly, and with very- 
short thorns. Common in all the Northern States. The 
well known Houghton's Seedling, of the nurseries, belongs 
to this species. 

R. rotundifolium. — Leaves nearly smooth, rounded, with 
very short and blunt lobes ; peduncles slender, one to 
three flowered ; fruit smooth, pleasant flavored. 
• Ri lacustre. — Swamp Gooseberry. — Young stems with 
bristly prickles and weak thorns ; leaves heart-shaped, 
three to five-pointed, Avith lobes deeply cut ; fruit bristly. 
Cold woods and swamps from New England to the West 
and northward. 

Ri gl*acilei — Axillary spine very short ; leaves on a 
slender petiole, pubescent on both sides ; the lobes acute, 
incised and acutely toothed ; peduncles long, one to two 
flowered. Mountains of Tennessee ; (Chapman in Flora 
of the Southern States.) 

There are several other species, or those described as 
such, but as we have no cultivated varieties of them, it is 
hardly necessary to give a full description. The following 
are but a portion of those known : 

R. OXycanthoides. — Native of Canada and Newfound- 
land, and to the northward. 

Rt divaricatum. — Branches divaricate, bristly or naked; 
berries black, smooth. Native of Northwest coast of 
America. 

R. microphylliim. — Small Leaved Gooseberry. — Native 
of the mountains of Mexico. Flowers red. 

R. cuneifolilim. — Berry pale red, resembles the R. Uva 
Crispa. Native of Peru, on the Andes, 

FOREIGN SPECIES. 

R. Grossularia. ( Uva Crispa, L.) — Leaves three to 
five-lobed, rather villous; prickles two or three under 
each bud ; branches otherwise smooth, spreading or erect ; 



216 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

berries smooth or covered with prickles, red, green or yel- 
low. Native of the wliole of Northern Europe, and in 
the woods of Britain. This species is the parent of all 
the noted varieties of the English gardens. 

Other species are known, but not possessing merits 
superior to tlie above, no attempt has been made to im- 
prove them. The native species of America are really 
superior to the R. Grossularia in its normal state. But in 
England great attention has been paid to the cultivation 
and improvement of tliis fruit, consequently varieties of 
great size, beauty and excellence have been the result. 

• HISTORY. • 

The Gooseberry has no separate history from the Cur- 
rant. It was, as we have before stated, not known as a 
cultivated fruit until within the last two or three hundred 
years. Parkinson, in 16-iO, mentions eight varieties, but 
the varieties increased so rapidly in the next hundred 
years, that Miller, in 1731, said that it was needless to un- 
dertake to enumerate them. 

If this was true in the days of Miller, it is certainly so 
at the present time, because varieties have been constantly 
inci'easing ever since, until some of the English nursery- 
men enumerate three hundred kinds in their catalogues. 

In this country very little attention has been paid to 
the Gooseberry, and the list of kinds grown from native 
species is very sjnall, which is very much to be regretted, 
inasmuch as the European sorts do not, as a general thing, 
succeed in America. 

PROPAGATION. 

The same methods recommended for the Currant, with 
one or two exceptions, are equally applicable to the 
Gooseberry. 



GOOSEBEERY. 217 

As a general thing, it does not ripen its ■wood so early 
in the season as the Currant, and the planting of the cut- 
tings may be deferred until spring. 

They are, however, more certain, if made in the fall after 
the leaves have fallen, or "when the young wood is fully 
mature, than if the operation is deferred until sj^ring. 

The cuttings may be buried either in the open ground 
or cellar, being careful not to allow them to become dry 
and shrivelled or too wet. Gi'owing from seed cannot be 
too highly recommended at the present time, because we 
are in great want of varieties suited to our climate, and it 
is scarcely to be expected that we shall obtain them in 
any other way than by growing seedlings from our native 
species. 

We have plenty of varieties which were produced from 
the seeds of foreign kinds, but they are neither superior 
in quality or size, nor any better suited to our climate 
than the originals. 

Native varieties from native species is the field in which 
to labor for making permanent progress, and the general 
success of the few varieties that have been produced, shows 
the truth of this assertion. 

PRUNING AND TRAINING. 

The single stem system is probably the best one for 
training the Gooseberry. The fruit is produced on short 
spurs on the two and three years old wood, as well as on 
that of the preceding year, and the directions given for the 
Currant are applicable to the Gooseberry. If but little 
fruit is desired, and that of large size, then prune close, and 
leave but few branches, and the opposite course may be 
followed for a large crop. The Gooseberry should be train- 
ed with a very open head, more so than the Currant, be- 
cause if the air does not have free access to every portion 
of the plant, mildew is almost certain to destroy not only 
the fruit, but the inside branches, if not the whole plant. 
10 



218 SMAI,L FRUIT CULTUllIST. 

A proper distribution of the branches should be observ- 
ed, and be so arranged that they shall be at regular dis- 
tances from each other. Then all little side shoots, that 
may appear in summer, should be pruned ofi". The young- 
shoots should be annually shortened, but to what extent 
will depend somewhat upon the amount of growth the 
plants have made, as well as upon the quantity and quality 
of fruit desired. Summer pruning, except to take out 
small weak shoots or to check the rampant growth of a 
particular branch which is attracting too much of the 
strength of the plant, is not beneficial, inasmuch as it of- 
ten causes young, weak, lateral shoots to be produced, 
which often fail to come to maturity. 

The Gooseberry may be trained as espaliers, or with a 
single stem and side spurs, or in almost any manner that 
one's fancy may suggest. 

The regular annual pruning may be performed at any 
time after the wood is fully matured in the fall, until the 
buds swell in the spring. 

SOIL AND CULTURE. 

The Gooseberry likes a good, deep, moist soil, but one 
that is not really wet. A rich soil is also essential, be- 
cause it is only by keeping up a vigorous growth that 
large fruit and abundant crops can be secured. An open, 
airy situation is better than one that is confined, and in 
many sections of the country the north side of a hill 
would be far preferable to a southern exposure. The ex- 
treme heat of our summer has been the greatest impedi- 
ment to the successful cultivation of the English Goose- 
berries, and to counteract this, the coolest available situa- 
tion should be selected. Also, in enriching the ground, 
use no fermenting manure ; apply none but that which is 
old and well rotted. Cow manure is far better than horse 
manure, pnrticularly on light, warm soils. Mulching the 
plants in summer is very beneficial, and if tan bark or 



GOOSEBEEET. 219 

si^eTit hoj^s from a brewery can be obtained, tliey should 
be used in preference to hay or straw. Good culture is 
required to produce good crops, the same as with other 
fruits. 

Mildew. — This is the one great enemy to the Goose- 
berry in the United States. It not only attacks the fruit, 
but often extends over the whole plant, effectually check- 
ing its growth. 

So prevalent has this disease become, that the foreign 
varieties are almost universally discarded, as there are few 
locations where they will succeed. 

There are many remedies which have been from time 
to time recommended, and they often appear to be effectual, 
while in other instances they are of no use whatever. 

The following remedies against mildew are worth try- 
ing, although they cannot be called radical cures : 

Scatter flour of sulphur over the bushes soon after 
the berries have set, and repeat the application occasion- 
ally until the fruit is ripe. 

Water the plants with strong soap-suds, or dissolve one 
l^ound of potash in a barrel of water, and then sprinkle 
the plants once a week with it. 

Soak fresh mown or dry hay in brine for twelve hours ; 
then cover the entire surface of the soil about the plants 
with this, as a mvilch. If hops, tan bark, or other mulch 
has previously been applied, tlien sprinkle it with salt ; a 
single handful to each plant will be sufficient. 

All of these remedies will often fail, but still they are 
worth trying. Old plants are more liable to suffer from 
mildew than young ones, therefore it is best to keep a 
supply of fresh plants always on hand ; in fact, so long as 
you can keep the plant growing vigorously, there is but 
little danger from mildew. 

I have often seen the foreign varieties doing splendidly 
in a half shady situation, such as the north side of a wall 
or fence, or in the shade of trees ; but such a situation 



220 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

cannot be recommended as the best, because mildew doea 
destroy plants under just such circumstances. No effec- 
tual remedy can be given, nor the best location pointed out, 
because the experiences of dilFerent cultivators are so con- 
flicting, that the one which appears to be the best in one 
location, would seem to be the very poorest for another. 
Wherever the foreign kinds will grow without being at- 
tacked by mildew, they are certainly far preferable to any 
of our native ones ; but my own remedy against mildew 
is, to cultivate none but the native varieties, for with these 
I have never experienced the least trouble, nor ais yet had 
a berry affected by disease of any kind. 

INSECTS. 

The Gooseberry and Currant are so nearly related, that 
many of the injui'ious insects are common to both. The 
Cun-ant-moth, (Abraxis,) is equally destructive to the 
Gooseberry, Avhile the Currant-borer seldom, if ever, at- 
tacks it. Harris, Fitch, and other entomologists, describe 
quite a number of insects that are occasionally found upon 
the Gooseberry, but thus far their ravages in this country 
have not been very extensive. The following are occa- 
sionally met, and if they should become numerous, would, 
at the same time, become very injurious: 

Lccanium Cynosbati. — Gooseberry Bark-louse. — 
(Fitch.) — Attacking the stalks of the wild Gooseberry; a 
hemispheric, smooth, shining resin-brown reale, commonly 
freckled with dull yellow dots, and with a dull yellow 
stripe along its middle. Remedy, close pruning, and an 
application of potash dissolved in Avater; one pound to 
eio'ht cC'^llons of Avater, 

Paeciloptera pruinosa— Mealy Flata— (^«y.)— A small 
four-winged fly, of a dark bluish color, covered with a 
mealy white powder, which attacks the leaves late in the 
season, puncturing the leaves and young shoots, sucking 
the juices of the plant. 



GOOSEBERRY. 221 

Probably, dusting the plants with ashes or lime would 
destroy them, or at least prevent their attacks. 

Cecidomyia Grossulariae — Gooseberry Midge — {Fitch.) 
— "The berries turning red prematurely and becoming 
putrid, having in them small, bright yellow maggots, of 
an oblong-oval form, and slightly divided into segments 
by fine impressed transverse lines ; changing to pupse in the 
berries, and in the latter part of July giving out a small 
two-winged fly, resembling a musquito, of beeswax yellow 
color." The berries should be gathered so soon as they 
show signs of premature ripening, and fed to hogs, or 
otherwise destroyed. 

Gooseberry-moth. — Mr. E. Graves, Jr., of Ashfield, 
Mass., reported to the Country Gentleman, in the summer 
of 1856, that his Houghton Gooseberry Avas a total failure, 
in consequence of being attacked by a slender, greenish 
worm, about one-half inch long. Dr. Fitch mentioned 
this insect, under the name of a Gooseberry-moth, in his 
Third Report, 1856, to the N. Y. State Agricultural Soci- 
ety, but without giving it a scientific name, as he says 
that he had not as yet obtained it in a perfect state. The 
worm eats out the center of the berry, leaving only a hol- 
low shell, attacking the fruit when about half grown. 

Many other insects might be added to this list, but the 
foregoing will be sufficient to show that the Gooseberry 
has enemies as well as other cultivated fruits. 

PROFITS OF CULTURE. 

There is far less demand for the Gooseberry than almost 
any other of our small fruits. It is generally gathered 
before it is ripe, and sold for making pies, tarts, etc., con- 
sequently, the demand for it is not so great as for other 
fruits, which are used for a greater variety of purposes. 

In the New York markets, the price varies from one to 
three, or four dollars per bushel. But whether the de- 



223 S5IALL FRUIT CFLTUPaST. 

mand would warrant a very extended culture, is uncertain, 
at least. Each cultivator will have to be his own judge in 
the matter, and if he can be sure of obtaining two dollars 
per bushel, he can make Gooseberry culture profitable, at 
least with the native varieties. Two to four hundi-ed 
bushels per acre can be grown of these kinds, and the 
cost of culture, gathering, marketing, etc., ought not to 
be over fifty cents j^er bushel. I have grown the 
Houghton Seedling, (which I do not consider the best or 
most profitable,) and sold the fruit for one dollar and fifty 
cents per bushel, and believe it was a profitable transac- 
tion. 

NATIVE VARIETIES. 

Cluster. — {American JRed, Dutch Joe, Pale Red, St. 
Clair, Roberts' Sweet Water, etc.) — Small, oval, about 
three-fourths of an inch long; reddish purple; sweet, 
juicy, and good. Bush, a strong, slender grower ; leaves 
light, bright green ; very productive. 

Cluster Seedling.— Similar to its parent, but slightly 
more upright in growth, and the leaves of a pale grayish- 
green. 

Dowilillgt — Medium to lo.rge, oval, about f of an inch 
long ; greenish-white ; excellent flavor. Plant, an upright 
grower ; leaves deep shining green ; very productive ; 
probably the best native variety. 

Originated with Charles Downing, Kew burgh, N. Y. 

Houghton's Seedling.— Fruit small to medium, round- 
ish-oval, pale red, sweet, tender, and very good; leaves 
deep shining green. The young plants upright in growth, 
but as they become old they assume a spreading, almost 
weeping habit. A vigorous and productive variety, and 
is seldom afiected by mildew. Originated with Abel 
Houghton, Lynn, Mass. 

Mountain Seedling. — Large, roundish-oval, pale red ; 
skin rather tough and thick, but of fair quality. The 



GOOSEBERRY. 223 

largest of the native varieties ; often over an inch in length. 
Plant a coarse, spreading grower, with very strong spines. 
Productive and valuable. 

Orighiated with the Shakers, at Lebanon, Pa. 

FOREIGN VARIETIES. 

To attempt to give a list of the best foreign varieties, 
would be the hight of folly on my part, inasmuch as there 
is no dozen or more sorts uj^on which any two of the 
most experienced English growers would agree. 

The number of really first class varieties known in 
England is almost innumerable, and a host of new ones 
are brought forward every season. To give some idea of 
the attention which is paid to the culture of this fruit in 
England, I will state that the Annual Gooseberry Grow- 
ers' Register, for 1863, is a volume of over 200 pages, and 
gives reports of one hundred and fifty-five Gooseberry 
shows. 

When the horticulturists of the United States Avill sup- 
port as many exhibitions for the jiurpose of showing any 
one or all the small fruits combined, then we shall have 
no need of looking to other countries for new varieties. 

Among the old varieties which have been known in this 
country for twenty to forty years, and are still esteemed 
as good as any, I will name the following : 

Red. — Ironmonger, Warrington, Red Champagne, Red 
Walnut. 

Green. — Green Walnut, Green Globe, Green Gage, 
White Smith. 

Yellow. — Golden Drop, Sulphur, Conqueror, Yellow 
Champagne, Hunt's, Tawny, Royal Sovereign, 

White, — Large Crystal, Royal George, White Dutch, 
White Walnut. 



224 * SMALL FKUIT CULTUEIST. 

Among the very newest and largest varieties which 
have taken premiums at the great Gooseberry shows in 
England, I give the following twelve as the heaviest nam- 
ed in this record : 

Red. — Leicester's Smoker, Brothertou's Foreman, Pilk- 
inton's Farmer, 

Geeen. — Prophet's Diadem, Becket's Bravo, Brother- 
ton's Birchen Lane. 

Yellow. — Wilkinson's Oyster Girl, Eardlay's Hannah. 

White. — Shingler's Edna, Miss Soars, Walton's Annie. 

The heaviest berry weighed 29 dwt. 12 grs. ; and the 
lightest 16 dwt. 2 grs. 

Bnt to produce berries of the weights given requires 
extra care, more than probably any of our cultivators 
would be likely to give to the Gooseberry, even if our 
climate was as suitable to its culture as that of England. 



CHAPTER YIII. 



CORNELIAN CHERRY. -(Cornus.) 
Natubal rA:vnLY Cornace^.— (Dogwood or Cornel.) 

[Name derived from Cormi, a horn, alluding to the hai-dness of the wood. In 
French, CornouiUer ; Dutch, Kornoelje ; German, Kornel Kirsche ; Italian, Cott/- 
nolo; Spanish, Corn^o.] 

GENERAL CHARACTERS. 

The species constituting this genus are mainly deciduous 
shrubs or small trees. Flowers small, inconspicuous, but 
in some species they are surrounded by a large and showy 
involucre, which is sometimes called the flower, as in one 
of our native species, [Cornus jioridcb). There is but one 
known species which produces fruit worthy of our atten- 
tion. 

€ornuS mascula. — Cornelian Cherry. — Shrubs growing 
ten to twenty feet high, with smooth branches; leaves 
oval, acuminate, of a dull green color ; flowers small, yel- 
low, in clusters, produced early in spring, before the leaves ; 
fruit oblong, about one inch in length and half an inch in 
diameter ; color bright reddish-scarlet ; flesh firm, slightly 
juicy when ripe, acid, not particularly agreeable in its raw 
state ; fruit ripens in September, but remains a long time 
on the bush, which makes it exceedingly ornamental. 
10* 235 



226 



SMAT.L FKUIT CULTUKIST. 



A variety of this species produces fruit of a bright yel- 
low color. The fruit is a little larger than the red, and not 
quite so acid. 



HISTORY. 



Tlie Cornel, as it is generally called in our older works 
on gardening, is a native of the South of Europe and 




Fisr. 93.— CORNELIAN CHERRY, 



Eastern Asia. It is mentioned by nearly all of the ancient 
writers. Sometimes the fruit is named, while others praise 
the quality of the wood, which is very hard. That it was 
formerly used for arrows and javelins, we infer from the 



CORNELIAN CHERRY. 227 

frequent allusions made to it in connection with imple- 
ments of war. Homer, in the Odyssey, Book xiv, says : 

"His cornel spear, 
Ulysses waved to rouse the savage war." 

It is also mentioned in a similar connection in Virgil's 
Georgics. 

Theophrastus and Pliny are supposed to refer to it when 
speaking of some of the hard kinds of wood growing wild 
in Italy. But these writers are generally so vague in theii* 
descriptions, that it is difficult to determine what particular 
trees or plants they were endeavoring to describe. 

Nearly every English author, from Tusser, who, in his 
work written in 1557, called them Cornel Plums, down 
to the present time, have mentioned the Cornel. Some 
eulogize the beauty as well as quality of the fruit, while 
others refer to it as merely an ornamental plant. The 
name Mascula or Mas was given it from the fact that 
plants grown from seed produce only staminate or male 
flowers for the first ten to fifteen years ; afterwards flowers 
of both sexes appear, followed by fruit. It appears to 
have derived the name of Dogwood from a wild species 
found in Britain, which bears a small fruit, not edible. 
Parkinson says this Avild species was called hounds-tree, 
(dog-berry tree,) because the fruit was not fit for the dogs ; 
hence the name Dogwood, which has become the common 
name of the whole genus. The Cornelian Cherry is not 
very plentiful in the United States, although nearly every 
nurseryman keeps the plants for sale. The long time 
which it requires to bring seedling plants into bearing, has 
been one reason why we see so few in private gardens. 

In the older nurseries and gardens near our eastern 
cities, bearing plants are frequently seen, but they are not 
so common as their merits deserve. 

The plants live to a great age, and there are specimens 
in Europe, which are known to have been planted more 
than two hundred years. 



228 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

PROPAGATION. 

By Seeds. — Plants are more generally grown from seed 
than otherwise ; consequently, for reasons previously stated, 
they are a long time coming into bearing. The fruit 
should be gathered in the fall, and the seeds sei3arated 
from the pulp ; then mixed with earth, and buried where 
they will keep moist, and not be disturbed until the ensu- 
ing autumn. They will seldom, if ever, germinate the 
first season ; consequently there is no use of sowing them 
where it is desirable to have them grow, and be obliged to 
cultivate the ground where there are no plants. When 
the seeds have remained one season in the rot-heap, (to use 
a gardener's phrase,) take them out and sow in drills, plac- 
ing the seeds two or three inches apart, and cover two 
inches deep. The seedlings produce a mass of small 
fibrous roots, and can be rapidly transplanted in sjiring or 
autumn. If bearing plants are at hand, from which buds 
or grafts can be obtained, then it is better to use the seed- 
lings as stock. In this case, they should be transplanted 
from the seed-beds into rows four feet aj^art, placing the 
plants about a foot apart in the rows. The seedlings will 
usually be large enough to work the third year. 

CuTTiXGS. — These should be made of the one year old 
wood, and in the same manner as described in the preceding 
chapter for the Barberry. The cuttings do not root very 
freely, and to insure even moderate success, the ground 
should be kept very moist during the early part of the 
season, or until roots are produced, A deep, moist soil is 
requisite, and if covered with mulch, so much the better. 

Layers, — This is the most common mode of propagat- 
ing from bearing plants. Put down the layers in early 
spring, cutting them as usual with woody plants, and they 
will generally be sufficiently rooted to be removed from 
the parent plant in autumn. 

Layers do not usually make as handsome plants as seed- 



CORNELIAN CHERRY. 229 

lings ; still they are preferable, because they will produce 
fruit when quite young. 

Budding. — This operation should be performed, in the 
usual manner, so soon as good, well developed buds are to 
be obtained from the young wood of the present season's 
growth. 

Grafting. — This should be done in the spring, just be- 
fore the leaves start, and upon yoimg stocks, such as seed- 
lings of two to four years old; the whip or spUce graft is 
preferable to the wedge. 

CULTIVATION. 

There is no particular skill required in cultivating the 
Cornelian Cherry, as the plant is far from being a delicate 
one. It will grow in almost any good, garden soil. In 
England, it is said to j^refer a calcareous one, but the larg- 
est and best plants, with which I am acquainted, are in a 
compact loam, approaching a clay. An open, but some- 
what sheltered situation is preferable on account of the 
plant blooming so very eai'ly ; the flowers are often de- 
stroyed by spring frosts, unless protected, or where there 
is just suflicient circulation of air to prevent freezing. A 
strong, direct current of air will often blast the flowers, 
when the same degree of cold would not injure them if 
the air was still, or only moved by a gentle breeze. 

VARIETIES. 

There are, it is said, other edible varieties besides the 
two which I have named, but I have no personal knowl- 
edge of their merits. There is a variegated leaved variety 
which I have cultivated for several years, but up to the 
present time it has produced no fruit. 

Uses. — In former times, when better fruit was scarce, 
Cornels were used for various conserves and to mix with 



230 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 

apples and pears for making cider. It is doubtful if it 
will ever become a popular fruit with us, unless better 
varieties that those we now possess are produced. Its 
beauty, however, commends it to the attention of every 
one who possesses a garden. 

Diseases and Insects. — None, or so few as not to be 
worth naming. 



CHAPTER IX. 



CRANBERRY.— Vaccinium. 

Ericaceae, or Heath Family. 

IVaccinium Oxycocctis, an ancient Latin name of obscure derivation. French 
name is Eirelle ; German, Heidelbeere ; and Mooreberrie. The Sub-family name, 
Oxycoccus, is derived from oxus, sharp or acid, and kokkus, a berry, in reference to 
the acid taste of the berries. The name Cranberry is supposed by some authors 
to have been given it because the fruit stem is crooked like a crane's-bill, while 
others state that it was because cranes were fond of the fruit.] 

GENERAL CHARACTERS. 

Low, trailing, evergreen shrubs, with very slender 
branches ; fruit-bearing stems erect ; flower bell-shaped, 
white, or tinged with red ; berry usually four to five-cell- 
ed ; seeds numerous. 

SPECIES. 

Vaccininm OxycoccuSi — Small Cranberry, — Leaves 
ovate, acute, with revolute margins ; stems very slender ; 
berries very small, spotted when young, becoming red at 
maturity. Grows in peat bogs in nearly all of the North- 
ern States, also in Northern Eiirope. 

V. macrocarpoili — Common American Cranberry. — 
Leaves oblong, obtuse, glaucous underneath, with slightly 
revolute margins. Flower-stems erect ; fruit pale pinkish- 
231 



232 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 

white to deep red, one half to one inch m diameter ; varia- 
ble in shape, from globular, ovoid, ovate-oblong, bell- 
shajDe, etc. 

V, erythrocarpon. — Bush Cranberry. — Leaves decidu- 
ous, oblong-ovate, acuminate, bristly serrate ; stems erect, 
flexible ; two to four feet high ; berry small, red, dry and 
insipid. High mountains of Virginia and. North Carolina. 

HISTORY. 

The Cranberry is almost exclusively a northern plant, 
and was probably not known to the Romans until their 
conquests in the North, . In Northern Europe it has been 
highly appreciated for centuries, and immense quantities 
are annually brought into the EngUsh markets from Russia 
and Sweden, in addition to those produced in Britain. 
The American Cranberry, V. macrocarpon, was intro- 
duced into England in 1760, and, although acknowledged 
to be superior to the common European species, still we 
have no accounts of its being cultivated there to any con- 
siderable extent. 

The first settlers in America found the Cranberry in 
such abundance that there was no necessity for cultivat- 
ing it, until the population became so numerous that the 
natural supply would not equal the demand. This point 
Avas reached about thirty years ago, at which time nu- 
merous experiments in its cultivation commenced at Cape 
Cod, and in a few other places. 

Previous to this time, however, an occasional plot had 
been cultivated. Kenrick, in the New American Orchard- 
ist, 1832, says : Capt. Henry Hall, of Barnstable, Mass., 
has cultivated the Cranberry for twenty years. In the 
New England Farmer, Vol. IX, No. 18, is an account of 
a Mr. F. A. Hayden, of Lincoln, Mass., who, in 1830, sold 
from his farm 400 bushels of Cranberries for six hundred 
dollars. From these and a few other recorded instances 



CRANBERRY. 233 

of Cranberry culture, we infer that there were very few 
Avho attempted its cultivation pi'evious to 1835 or 1840. 
Since thd^time there has been a steady increase, until, at 
the present time, thousands of acres are devoted to the 
culture of this fruit. Not only have individuals turned 
their attention to it, but companies have been formed 
with abundant means to cultivate the Cranberry upon an 
extensive scale. 

In addition to the benefit derived from having our mar- 
kets supplied with the fruit, its culture is a source of na- 
tional wealth, inasmuch as the land devoted to it was 
previously uncultivated, neither enriching individuals by 
its productions, nor yielding taxes to the State. 

Many of our low, boggy wastes, which formerly were 
sources of miasmatic diseases, have been changed into 
healthful locations and fruitful fields. 

PROPAGATION, 

To propagate some of our cultivated fruits successfully, 
requires more or less skill, but the Cranberry may be said 
to propagate itself. The plant, as it creeps along over the 
ground, throws out innumerable roots, fixing every por- 
tion of the prostrate stems to the soil. If these branches 
do not root as soon as desired, a little earth thrown over 
them will hasten the 2')rocess. 

The plants may be taken up and planted whole, or be 
divided into small pieces, each of which will soon become 
a strong plant. Even the upright stems may be used for 
cuttings, and when planted in the spring, they will become 
rooted by the next fall. 

The small green tips of the growing branches may be 
taken off in summer, and rooted under a bell-glass, or in 
ordinary glazed frames. 

Cultivators seldom have recourse to seeds for extending 
their plantations, but they may be planted for the purpose 
of producing ncAV varieties as well as multiplying old 



234 SMALL FKUIT CULTURIST. 

ones. The seeds should be prepared and kept through 
the winter in the same manner as recommended, for the 
Hucldeherry in a succeeding chapter, 1^ 

Sow them in drills and keep free of weeds, either by 
hoeing or mulching wdth saw-dust, or tan-bark, if grown 
on dry soils, but if on low grounds, use sand instead. 
Transplant into fruiting-beds when one or two years old. 

PREPARATION OF SOIL. 

Naturally, the common Cranberry is a semi-aquatic 
plant, requiring a constant supply of water to ensure its 
highest state of perfection. It is usually found in low peat 
bogs, where it is often entirely submerged in the winter 
months, and the roots are in contact with water during a 
greater 23ortion of the year. 

While this is the condition in which we usually find the 
wild plants, yet, occasionally, they are found upon high and 
dry soils. Judging, however, from the position in which 
we find the greatest quantities, we conclude that a wet 
soil is the most natural one. If we leave the normal con- 
dition of the plant out of the question, and base our con- 
clusions entirely upon the results of the many experiments 
which have been made in the last thirty years, we find 
that their cultivation in wet soils has been attended with 
the best success and the most remunerative results. It is 
not to be assumed that they cannot be grown upon soils 
that are naturally dry, for we have many instances of suc- 
cess under such circumstances, but, as a whole, the upland 
cultivation has not been equally profitable with the low- 
land. It is not altogether for the purpose of supplying 
the plants with moisture that abundance of water is re- 
quired, but for other purposes, among which are the fol- 
lowing : 

First. — Covering the plants in winter, thereby affording 
B protection from severe cold. 



CRANBERRY. 235 

Second, — Preventing the frost in spring from injuring 
the flowers. 

Third. — ^Destroying the Cranberry-worms, which some- 
times attack the plants and fruit. 

Assuming that these precautionary measures are neces- 
sary to the best results, it follows that a situation should 
be selected where the conditions named can be secured. 

Another important material, used in preparing Ci-an- 
beny beds, is sand, which is spread over the surface of the 
soil. 

This not only in a great measure prevents the weeds 
from growing until the plants have entirely covered the 
beds, but keeps the fruit clean, besides making the surface 
always open and friable. Sometimes the low peat beds 
are so rich in nutritive matter, unless sand is used, that the 
vines would grow so luxuriant that they would be unpro- 
ductive. 

In fact, very little alluvial soil is needed, and when the 
deposit is a foot in depth, it will be fully equal, if not supe- 
rior, to a situation Avhere it is more abundant. In some 
sections, they are grown in what appears to be almost 
pure sand, there being scarcely a trace of nutritive matter 
to be found, the water and the materials held in solution 
therein, furnishing the principal portions of food to the 
plants. 

The first step in preparing a Cranberry bed is usually 
that of digging a broad, deep ditch entirely around the 
plot, for the purpose of draining ofi' the surface water, so 
that the ground may be cleaned. If the soil thrown out 
of the ditches is sufficiently compact, it may form the em- 
bankments ; if not, then other soil must be added. When 
the water has been removed, then clear off all trees, logs, 
brush, and other incumbrances; these may be burned on 
the ground, and the ashes scattered over the surface, pro- 
vided it can be done without endangering the soil. Some- 
times, Avhen the soil is very dry, there is danger of its burn- 



236 SMALL FKUIT CULTUKIST. 

ing to considerable depth. Some cultivators remove all of 
the surface soil to the depth of six inches or a foot, and, in 
some cases, it may be beneficial for the purpose of bringing 
the whole bed to a lower grade, but where this is not re- 
quisite, and sand is abundant, it is cheaper to spread on a 
greater dejith of sand and leave the whole depth of nat- 
ural soil. 

Again, if the peat is deep enough so that a portion can 
be spared, it should be carted off for manuring the adja- 
cent land, especially if it is of a sandy nature, for there is 
no more valuable manure, (barn-yard excepted,) than the 
top layer of these peat or muck swamps. It is always 
better to prepare the ground at least one season before 
planting, so that all Aveeds, brush, and roots, may be thor- 
oughly destroyed ; because if it is not done at the start, it 
will be a difficult operation after the ground is covered 
with plants. 

Where the soil is sufficiently firm to admit of being 
plowed and harrowed, it is best to do so, as by this means 
a more thorough preparation can be obtained, and at less 
expense than when wholly performed by hand. When 
the soil has been made level, and otherwise prepared, it 
should be covered with pure sand to the depth of from 
four to eight inches, the depth being regulated by the 
nature of the soil ; if it is very loose, then apply inore 
than when comparatively compact, as more or less will 
sink into the soil below. 

A uniform depth is quite im^iortant, and can easily be 
obtained, provided the surface is made level before its 
application. 

The position and texture of the soil will suggest the best 
mode of application, whether by teams or otherwise. 

There are many locations where these peat-beds are un- 
derlaid with sand, and if the soil is not over one or two 
feet deep, and can be sufficiently drained to allow of their 
being conveniently worked, they may be trenched, bring- 



CRANBERRY. 23? 

ing tlie required amount of sand to the surftice, instead of 
hauling it from a distance. The sand should be pure, and 
not mixed with clay, loam, or other soil. All of these cir- 
cumstances should be taken into consideration when select- 
ing a location for Cranbeny plantations. 

Often one set of embankments, flood-gates, etc., will an- 
swer for several parties, if they can agree and join together 
in the undertaking. The size of the bed is immaterial; it 
may be one acre or one hundred, provided it can be made 
level, so that one portion shall not be covered deeper than 
another, when flooded. The embankments should be at 
least four feet high when first made, for they will settle 
some ; besides, it is best to have them a foot or more above 
high water mark, to guard against breaks. 

If one is in no hurry about planting, and is disposed to 
wait, the embankments may be formed and the ground 
flooded, and kept in this condition until the weeds, bushes, 
etc., upon it, are killed, after which the water may be 
withdrawn, and the preparation of the bed continued as be- 
fore du'ected. 

COST OF PREPARING THE BEDS. 

There can be no reliable estimates given as regards cost 
of preparing Cranberry beds, inasmuch as no two will be 
situated exactly alike. It will cost as much to remove the 
brush, trees, and logs, etc., from one piece of land, as to 
fully prepare another for the reception of the plants. 

The estimates vary from one hundred to six hundred 
dollars per acre. 

A thorough preparation will always be found to be the 
cheapest in the end, 

PLANTING. 

The usual time of setting the plants is in the spring, but 
where the beds can be kept moist, the operation may be 
continued during the entire summer. Sometimes the plants 



238 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

are put out late in the fall, and covered with a sufficient 
dej^th of water to prevent the ground from freezing and 
throwing out the plants. The spring and early summer 
are, however, considered the best time for jalanting. The 
plants should be set in rows, from eighteen inches to four 
feet apart, according to the quantity and quality of plants 
obtained. The object is to cover the entire surface of the 
soil with vines, so soon as possible ; consequently, the bet- 
ter the plants and the nearer together they are placed, the 
sooner will this be accomplished. When large plants are 
to be had, and in sufficient quantities, it is better to place 
them about two feet apart, each Avay, than farther, and if 
the plants do well, they will entirely cover the beds the 
second season. Most of our larger plantations are made 
with plants taken directly from the wild beds, and they 
are removed in large clumps or sods. If there are any 
weeds or grass among the plants, they should be removed 
before planting, as they are more readily separated from 
them at this time than after they are planted. 

Small holes are made in which the plants are set, and 
the soil is then pressed firmly about them. If small plants 
or cuttings are used, they may be planted nearer together 
than larger ones. 

SELECTION OF PLANTS. 

It is important that plants should be obtained from 
fruitful beds, as well as those which produce the largest 
and best fruit. There are occasional wild beds that pro- 
duce little or no fruit ; these should be avoided. When 
plants cannot be obtained near by, from wild or cultivated 
beds, then they may be bought from those whose business 
is growing plants for sale. But the pui'chaser should en- 
deavor to inform hrmself in regard to the reliability of 
l^lant growers before ordering ; besides he should give im- 
perative directions that tht? plants should be carefully taken 
up and not be allowed to become dry before packing, as 



CRANBERRY. 239 

well as that the latter operation should be performed in 
the best manner. A very little extra expense in packing, 
or in procuring plants of the best quality, will often be re- 
paid a hundred fold in the first crop. Cranberry planta- 
tions are expected to be a permanent investment which 
shall give annual returns for a lifetime ; it therefore be- 
comes very imj^ortant that every precaution should be 
taken to make it as perfect as possible. 

CULTIVATION. 

For the first two or three seasons the beds should be 
carefully cultivated, and no weeds or sprouts from brush- 
roots be permitted to»grow. The amount of labor requir- 
ed is usually far less than with ordinary farm crops, still 
a constant attention is necessary, so that the plants shall 
have the full benefit of the entire soil, and not be obliged 
to combat with weeds, grass, or other Impediments. When 
the plants have gained possession of the whole surface, 
there will be very little cultivation required. An occa- 
sional sprout or clump of grass may appear, which it will 
be necessary to remove. 

APPLYING WATER. 

The water should be let on to thelDeds at the approach 
of cold weather, not until the ground begins to freeze, but 
before it has become frozen hard. The time will vary in 
different locations, and the cultivator must apply it ac- 
cording to circumstances, and not be guided by set rules 
as to time. The beds should be covered, so that the water 
will be deep enough to prevent freezing the plants. At the 
North, it should be at least two feet deep, while south of the 
latitude of New York, one foot will ordinarily answer. It 
should remain upon the beds until the cold weather is past 
in the spring, when it should be drawn oflf, leaving it about 
two inches deep over the surface, until all danger of frost 
is past. 



240 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

Where late spring frosts are known to be frequent and 
severe, it is best to keep on the full depth of water until 
there is no longer any risk. The longer the water is kept 
on, the later will the plants bloom. 

In some locations the plants are covered for about four 
or five months in winter, while in others, two or three will 
be sufficient. 

There is no danger of the plants being injured by the 
water so long as it remains cool, and the later it is kept 
on, the less the danger of spring frosts injuring the flowers. 
Sometimes it is beneficial to flow the beds in summer at 
time of drouth, but in such cases it is only necessary to 
apply sufficient to give the soil a good soaking. If the 
water is admitted into the ditches which surround the 
beds, (if they are not too large,) it will be sufficient to 
prevent injury from drouth. 

GATHERING. 

Formerly the berries were gathered with an instrument 
called a Cranberry rake, but of late years this method has 
been almost entirely abandoned, and hand picking has 
taken its place. When gathered by hand, the fruit is not apt 
to be crushed, besides a far less amount of dirt and leaves 
are mixed with them ; consequently hand-picked fruit will 
bring a much higher price than any other. Various kinds 
of baskets, crates, hurdles, &c., are used in gathering the 
fruit ; the main object being to allow all foreign materials, 
gathered with it, to fall through when being carried in the 
field, or when spread out to dry. All imsound berries 
should be carefully picked out before the fruit is packed 
for market. 

VARIETIES. 

Like other fruits, the Cranbeny varies considerably in 
its wdld state ; besides, when cultivated, new variations ai-e 
constantly occurring. All the varieties in cultivation at 



CRANBERRY. 



241 




Fig. 4. — CHERRY 
CRANBERRY. 



the present time in tbis country, belong to one species, the 

K macrocarpon. These vary in size, from a half inch up 

to an inch or over in diameter. Figure 94 shows a variety 

usually called the Cherry Cranberry, and 

figure 95, one of the largest of the Bell 

variety. Figure 96 illustrates the Bell 

form, and in figure 97 we give an exnct 

representation of some remarkably fine 

sjjecimens, raised by Mr. Orrin C. Cook, 

of South Milford, Mass. There are many 

other shapes intermediate between these, 

but we have given the principal ones. 

In color, the varieties vary from a greenish-yellow or 
white to dark, rich purple. New varieties are being pro- 
duced, and, doubtless, in a few years, great improvements 
will be made in the size, if not in the quality, of the Cran- 
berry. 

INSECTS. 

There appear to be two kinds of worms which infest 
the Cranberry. One of these attacks the young fruit, 
and the other the plants. The first is described as a small 




Fig. 95. — BUGLE CRANBERRY. 

worm about half an inch in length, with a black head; 
the other is about the same length, with a red head. 
Although it is said t^at these ^pmis ^re very destrucr 
11 



242 



SMALL FKUIT CULTURIST. 



tive ill some sections of the countiy, tlierc appears to be 
no definite information as to their origin, period of life, or 
what kind of insect produces the eggs 
from which they are hatched. These 
worms are more destructive in beds that 
are not flooded than elsewhere. When- 
ever the plants and fruit are attacked, the 
water should be let on to the beds and 
allowed to remain for six to tAventy-four 
hours ; this would doubtless destroy the 
worms without materially injui-ing the 
plants. 

The ravages of the Cranberry worms have not been very 
extensive, nor very wide spread, and, although I have visit- 
ed many hundreds of acres of Cranberry beds, I have not 
as yet seen one of these worms; neither have I been able 
to find a description of them, or their scientific names, in 
any work on entomology. It is to be hoped that for the 




Fiij;. 96. — BELL 

CUANBERRY. 




Fig. 97.— t-LARGE CRANBERRY. 

sake of science, some one who has an opportunity will 
investigate this subject, and give us the results. 

UPLAND CULTUKE. 

Although the cultivation of the Cranberry upon dry up- 
land caiinot be recommended as equal to lowland cultiva- 



CRANBERRY. 243 

tion, still it possesses so much that is interesting and advan- 
tageous that it deserves the attention of those who have 
no other means of growing them. Even a partial success 
will very often be highly remunerative, besides affording 
much pleasure to the cultivatoi". 

There are but few gardens or soils where the experiment 
is not worth trying on a small scale, even if it is not suc- 
cessful, because the expense is so slight that a total failure 
would be no great loss of capital. 

A light sandy or loamy soil, one that is naturally moist, 
should be selected, if convenient, and prepared as thor- 
oughly as for a vegetable garden. If swamp-mud or peat 
can be had, it is well to give a liberal dressing, mixing 
it with the soil ; rake all level, and then plant in rows 
about two feet apart, and one foot apart in the rows. 
Hoe the plants as long as it can be conveniently done 
without disturbing them, after which no cultivation is re- 
quired, except to pull out large weeds, or grass that may 
occasionally appear. 

If saw-dust can be had, it should be applied as a mulch, 
scatterhig a light dressing in among the plants ; this will 
keep the soil moist and assist in keeping the weeds down. 
A small plot of three or four rods square will, if they suc- 
ceed, be sufficient to supply an ordinary family. 

In addition to the value of the fruit, the Cranberry is 
an exceedingly ornamental plant at all times of the season, 
whether in fruit or flower. The variety known as the Bell 
Cranberry is generally planted on upland, but it is proba- 
ble that others, with proper care, will succeed equally as 
well. There are a few cultivators in the vicinity of New 
York who grow all of the improved varieties on uj^land, 
and claim that they are very successful with them. 
Judging from the fruit that has been shown by these gen- 
tlemen at our horticultural fairs, the berries grow to as large 
a size, if not in such large quantities, on upland as upon 
the low. By obtaining seeds from these upland beds, and 



244 SMALX FRUIT CULTUKIST. 

by producing new varieties therefrom, pi nnts may be ob- 
tained that will be better adapted to dry soils than any 
previously known. It is certainly worthy of trial, and I 
would advise all who have leisure and inclination to try 
the experiment fully and thoroughly. 

PROFITS OF CULTURE. 

The profits of Cranberry culture, like those from other 
fruits, depend somewhat upon the amount of care given 
the beds as well as upon the markets. There is also a lia- 
bility of failure from unforeseen causes ; still the Cranberry 
may be considered as certain as any other fruit. To make 
anything like a fair estimate in regard to profits, we are 
obliged to select from the reports of the various growers 
throughout the country, and draw our conclusions there- 
from. But in many instances these are so vague that we can 
only approximate to the truth. I have inserted a few of 
such as I deem reliable, omitting those which appear to be 
too far above the average : 

Mr. Edmund Bagley, of Massachusetts, reports in the 
Journal of Commerce: cost of land, $12 per acre; clean- 
ing, $100 ; vines and setting, |50 ; cultivation, |10 per 
year. The fourth year, average crop, 300 bushels per 
acre ; Avorth 12.50 per bushel. 

F. Trowbridge, New Haven, Conn., considers the usual 
average about 175 to 200 bushels per acre, 

Mr. Sullivan Bates says, that on beds that have been 
carefully prepared, the yield will be from 150 to 400 bush- 
els per acre, 

J. H. Baker, of Westport, Mass., reports the average 
crop about 175 bushels. 

Trowbridge and Davis, of Ocean County, N. J., report 
10 acres in bearing ; crop 1,100 bushels ; although the 
beds were new, and have not arrived at an age at which 
a full crof) could be expected. 



CKAJSTBERRY. 245 

At Shamoug, N. J., a small bed is reported to have 
yielded 220 bushels j^er acre. 

W. R. Braddock, of Bedford, K J., has 100 acres ; 20 
acres of which yielded, last season, 1866, an average of 
100 bushels per acre. The fruit sold for a price which left 
him $6,000 over and above all exj)enses. 

The above statements are about a fau* average of the 
various reports received from the proprietors of Cranberry 
beds in the Eastern States. The price of the fruit varies 
from $2.00 to $6.00 per bushel. It is probable that when 
the immense beds, which are now being planted, have ar- 
rived at full maturity, our markets will be fully supplied, 
unless some new way of disposing of the fruit is dis- 
covered, which it is very likely will be the case. 



CHAPTER X. 



HUCKLEBERRY— (Family Ericace^.) 

Huckleberries were formerly all included tinder the 
genus Vaccinium, but botanists now separate them into 
the genera, Gaylussacla and Vaccimwn. In general 
appearance they resemble one another, being branching 
shrubs, with bell-shaped or urn-shaped corollas and 2- 
parted anthers. The fruit is a 10 to many seeded berry. 
The Gaylussacias differ from the Vaccinmms in having 
only one seed in each cell of the fruit, and their foliage is 
often sprinkled with resinous dots. For our i:)urposes it 
is convenient to consider them all under one head. 

The species best known in the United States as produc- 
ing edible fruit, are chiefly deciduous shrubs of medium 
size, blooming in May and June, and ripening their fruit 
from July to September. 

SPECIES. 

The number of species of Huckleberry is quite large, 
and I shall only name a few of the best. 

Gaylussacia frondosa. — Blue Dangleberry. — Leaves 
obovate, oblong, pale glaucous beneath ; branches slendei*, 
smooth. Fruit dark blue, covered with white bloom, sweet 
246 



HUCKLEBERRY. 247 

and edible. Bush grows three to six feet high. Found 
from New England to Virginia in low grounds. 

G. resinosa. — Black Huckleberry. — Leaves oval or ob- 
long, clammy when young ; plants quite branching, the 
young shoots pubescent ; fruit black without bloom, with 
an agreeable flavor ; bush, two to three feet high. Com- 
mon in swamps and low grounds at the North. 

Tacciniiim Pennsylvaniciim. — Dwarf Blueberry. — 
Leaves oblong, sometimes lanceolate, smooth and shining ; 
branches green, somewhat angled, occasionally warty; 
bush one to three feet, very proHfic ; berries blue, ripening 
eai'ly. The fruit of this species is highly prized on account 
of its earliness, but it is not so agreeable in flavor as some 
others. Abundant in dry, sandy seasons, from Maryland 
northward. 

V. CanadcnSCi — Canada Blueberry. — Leaves more or 
less downy, common in low grounds ; otherwise similar to 
the preceding species. 

V. corymbosum. — Swamp Blueberry, or High-bush 
Huckleberry. — Leaves oval or oblong, variable in size and 
color. Shrubs four to ten feet high, common in low, wet 
places. Fruit black, covered with bloom, sweet but 
sprightly ; the best Huckleberry ; ripens late in the season, 
August and September. 

Fig. 98 shows a small branch, with bunch of fruit of natu- 
ral size. This species assumes various forms and colors; some- 
times the fruit is oval, approaching an oblong, while others 
are globular or slightly compressed. The Black High-bush 
Huckleberry, as it is generally called, is quite distinct, the 
fruit being destitute of bloom and of inferior flavor. It is 
distinguished by the name of V. corymhosum,, var. atrococ- 
cnm, by Dr. Gray. There are many other species and varie- 
ties growing wild all over the country. There are also 
foreign species, but none of them superior to those named. 
I do not think it necessary to enter into any minute details 



248 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 




Fig. 98. — SWAMP HtrCKLEBEBET. 



HUCKLEBERRY. 249 

of the history or cultivation of this fruit, from the fact that 
there is nothing connected therewith which would make 
the subject interesting. The Huckleberry is one of those 
fruits which have always been neglected ; none of our horti- 
cultural writers have deemed it worthy of any particular 
description, and but very few have thought it worthy of 
mention. 

Why this neglect, I am at loss to understand, for the 
Huckleberry possesses naturally better qualities than even 
the Currant and Gooseberry. 

All of our northern species are perfectly hardy, produc- 
ing no thorns, (which is such a disagreeable feature with 
many of our small fruits,) and the plants are generally 
quite productive. 

The berries ai*e more firm than the Rasj^berry, Black- 
berry, or Strawberry, consequently, will bear carriage 
well, and are suitable for market. 

Thousands of bushels are annually gathered from the 
woods and fields, but these sources of supply will not al- 
ways be available ; besides, we should not be content with 
depending wholly upon nature for either the necessaries 
or the luxuries of life, while a helping hand would not 
only increase the quantity, but improve the quality. 

Those species, which naturally grow upon high, dry 
soils, will probably be the best for garden culture ; still, be- 
cause a plant is found in its wild state in any particular 
soil or situation, it does not follow that similar circum- 
stances are always necessary for its best development when 
under cultivation. If nature invariably located plants un- 
der the most favorable conditions for growth, then improve- 
ments Avould be less certain and far more difiicult than 
now. The history of horticulture affords abundant testi- 
mony to the fact that many plants succeed far better in 
soils and locations differing very materially from the one 
in which nature has placed them, than otherwise. 

The Swamp Huckleberry, ( V. cori/mbosum,) is some- 
11* 



■250 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

times found upon high, diy soils, although it grows chiefly 
in locations where the roots are immersed in water for the 
greater portion of the year. That it will grow and pro- 
duce fruit upon high and dry soils, I have proved by ex- 
jjeriment. 

There is no great difficulty in removing the plants from 
their native locality to the garden, but our main depend- 
ence for improvement should be upon seedlings, because 
they will always vary more or less from the parent, and by 
carefully selecting the best improvements, are certain. The 
seeds are quite small, and requii'e considerable care in sow- 

A good plan is, to crush the berries, and mix them with 
fine sand; then put them in a box or flower-jiot, and bury 
in the open ground until spring. Prepare a seed-bed, the 
soil of which should be, at least, half leaf-mould, or peat, 
from a swamp ; the remainder may be any* good garden 
soif. Surround the bed with boards, a foot or more in 
width, mix the soil thoroughly and rake level, then sow on 
the sand containing the seeds ; then sift over this soil suf- 
ficient to cover the seeds, about a quarter of an inch deep, 
give a good soaking of water and place a screen over the 
frame. It may be made of lath, coarse cloth, or anything 
that will partially shade the plants when they come up, 
but not wholly exclude the light. Keep the soil well wa- 
tered, applying the water with a watering-pot, or in such a 
manner that the seeds or plants will not be disturbed. The 
seedlings may be transplanted when one year old, if they 
have made a good growth, or remain in the seed-bed for 
two years. They will usually come into bearing in three 
to six years, at which time the best should be marked, so 
that they may be propagated. The inferior kinds may be 
thrown away, or be reserved for stocks, on which to work 
the others. Budding and grafting may be employed in 
propagation, as well as layers, the operation being per- 
formed in the usual manner. 



CHAPTER XI. 



SHEFHERDIA. 

FAMILY ELJEAGNACE^. 

[Kamed in honor of John Shepherd, fonnerly ciirator of the Liverpool Botanic 
Garden.] 

GENERAL CHARACTERS. 

Deciduous shrubs, or small trees, with silvery leaves ; 
flowers dioecious, the sterile 
ones, (fig. 99,) having a four- 
parted calyx, and eight sta- 
mens ; the fertile flowers, (fig. 
100,) have an urn-shaped ca- 
lyx, enclosing the ovary which 
becomes a berry-like fruit. 
Leaves opposite, entire, de- 
ciduous; the flowers very 
small, yellow, borne in the 
axils of the small branches, 

A very small family of 
plants, and there is but one 
species of this genus that is 
worthy of being cultivated 
for its fruit. 

Shepherdia argentea.— Bufifalo Berry ; Rabbit Berry ; 
Grosse de Buffle, of the French ; Hippophm argentea, of 
Pursh. — Leaves oblong, silvery-white on both sides ; 
251 




252 SMALL FKUIT CULTURIST. 

branches rusty dull white, with many small thorn-like 
branchlets ; fruit round, dull red, sprightly acid, agi-eea- 
ble, borne in very compact clusters in the axils of the small 
branches, as shown in figure 101. Ripens its fruit in early 
autumn, or late in summer. 

Found on the banks of the upper Missouri, and other 
large rivers of the Northwest. It is seldom seen in cul- 
tivation, but it is really deserving of a place in every gar- 
den. The plant is quite ornamental, in addition to its edi- 
ble fruit, which is produced abundantly. The plant is very 
hardy, and grows quite readily in almost any good soil. 
The Shcjiherdia, being dioecious, it is therefore necessary 
to plant one of each sex to obtain fruit; consequently, 
those who may have occasion to send to the nurseries for 
plants, should be careful to order at least one of each kind, 
although if several are to be planted in a group, one sta- 
minate plant will be sufficient to fertilize a half dozen or 
more pistillate plants. 

At the present time, the Shepherdia is not grown as a 
market fruit, but the tune may come when we shall see it 
in our markets, and it is moie than probable that new and 
improved varieties will be produced by some of our enter- 
prising fruit growers. The thorn-like character of its 
small branchlets makes it a suitable j:)lant for ornamental 
hedges, and very probably it would be equally serviceable 
as the Buck-thorn and other similar plants, for turning 
cattle. It is well worthy of trial, and up to the present 
time I am not aware that it has been subject to disease, or 
attacked by any insect. 

PROPAGATION. 

Gather the berries when ripe, crush the pulp, and 
wash out the seeds ; then sow them, or preserve in sand, 
until the ensuing spring. The best method is, to sow the 
seeds in drills soon after they are gathered, covering an 
inch or two deep. Transplant when one year old into 



SHEPIIERDIA. 



253 




Fisr. 101.— FRUIT OF SHEPHEKDIA. 



254 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 

nursery rows, j^lacing the plants a foot apart in the row, 
and the rows four feet ajDart. They will usually bloom the 
third year from seed, at which time every plant should be 
examined, and a label attached to each with the word 
staminate or pistillate, as the case may be, written upon 
each; common wooden labels, such as used by nurserymen, 
freshly painted at the time, will remain legible for two or 
three years. If it is more convenient to have the plants 
separated than to keep each one labeled, then they may be 
taken up after the sexes are determined, and each kind 
placed in a row by itself 

The Shepherdias produce very few suckers, but when 
any apj^ear, they may be taken off and planted separately. 
Layers root very readily, and plants may be j^roduced in 
this manner quite rapidly. 

It is quite probable that ripe wood cuttmgs will grow 
the same as the Currant, but I have never had occasion to 
try this mode of propagation, because they grow so readily 
from seed that I have practiced this method in jDreference 
to others. Besides, there is always a chance, when grow- 
ing any kind of fruit from seed, of producing something 
better than the original, consequently, the very uncertainty 
becomes fascinating to the true lover of horticulture, and 
the hope of the thing lightens the otherAvise irksomeness 
of the task. 

There is another species of Shepherdia found in the 
Northern States, the fruit of Avhich is very insipid. I 
copy the description from Gray's Manual of Botany : 

Shepherdia Canadensis. — Canadian Shepherdia. — 
"Leaves elliptical or ovate, nearly naked and green 
above, silvery-downy, and scurfy with rusty scales under- 
neath; fruit yellowish-red ; rocky or gravelly banks ; Ver- 
mont to Wisconsin, and northward. A straggling shrub, 
three to six feet high ; the branchlets, young leaves, yel- 
lowish flowers etc., covered with the rusty scales. Fruit 
insipid." 



CHAPTER XII. 



PREPARATION FOR GATHERING FRTJIT. 

To grow a crop of fruit is biit the initial step towards 
the successful termination of the enterjjrise. 

If the fruit is to be sent to market, then crates, baskets, 
etc., are necessary for gathering and transporting, all of 
which should be provided in advance of the ripening of 
the crop. The number of baskets required per acre can- 
not be given, inasmuch as the product will not be the 
same in any two seasons, but it is always best to provide 
enough, for if the supply should fall short in the busy part 
of the season, it might cause considerable loss. 

We will suppose that a grower expects to send a thous- 
and baskets per day to market, during the season, of any 
particular kind of small fruit, and if he sends them by 
railroad or steamboat, to a distance of twenty miles or 
more, he must not expect to have any baskets or crates 
returned in less time than six to ten days after the time 
of the first shipment, itnless he has better success than 
usual with fruit growers in tliis vicinity ; consequently 
he will have to provide six to ten thousand baskets to en- 
able him continue gathering. 

Sometimes, owing to the negligence of the commission 
merchant, no baskets will be returned for two or thi-ee 
255 



256 SMALL PRUIT CTJLTUBIST. 

weeks, and a very large extra suiDi:)ly of baskets will be 
necessary to prevent a corresponding loss. 

Ten thousand baskets, with a corresponding number of 
crates, should be provided, if a thousand baskets are to be 
picked per day. 

To the inexjjerienced in these mattei-s, this may seem 
to be an unnecessary outlay, but fruit growers in the East- 
ern States, at least, have learned that a little, or consider- 
able, extra capital invested in baskets will quite often 
insure them against great losses. 

Any one who has ever looked through the New York 
markets, soon after the close of the Strawberry season, 
must have noticed thousands of baskets and crates lying 
around loose, or being piled up in the streets, where the 
boys make bonfires of them at night, and thus the prop- 
erty of the fruit grower is often destroyed thi'ough the 
willful neglect of those to whom the fruit was consigned. 

Many remedies have been tried to prevent this waste, 
but none have been entirely successful, unless it be that 
of sending very cheap baskets and crates, which it is not 
expected Avill be returned. Many fruit growers are adopt- 
ing tins give away system, and under some circumstances 
it is probably the best, but under others it is doubtful if 
it is the most profitable in the end. 

An attractive exterior is a good passport, even in the 
fruit line, and I know of many instances Avhere fruit put 
up in handsome baskets, and enclosed in extra finished 
crates, has sold for almost double the price of that sent 
to market in an inferior style of crate and basket. 

I will give one instance which came under my notice 
the past season : A young man, formerly in my employ, 
commenced sending Blackberries to the New York mar- 
ket the past season, (1866,) for the first time, and wishing 
to have his fruit make a good appearance, he purchased 
quart baskets of as handsome style as he could find. 
They cost him $30.00 per 1,000. He made his own crates, 



PREPARATION FOR OATHERING FRUIT 



257 



which cost about |;2.00 each for those holding sixty quarts. 
The crates were very neatly finished, and well j^ainted, 
with his name and address put on with stencil plate. 
"When he received his returns for the fi-uit, he found that 
it had brought seven cents per quart more than that of 
his neighbors, although of no better quality. The com- 
mission merchant, to whom the fruit was consigned, sent 
a note along with the money, stating that the extra price 
Avas owing entirely to the neat appeai'ance of his baskets 
and crates. 

Thus it can be seen tliat he received $4.20 per crate 
more than his neighbors, merely for the good look of the 
vessels in which the fruit was sent to market, and if neither 
crate or basket had been returned, he would then have 

gained sixty cents per crate ; 
but the fact was that scarce- 
ly a basket was lost, because 
they Avere considered by pur- 
chasers of the fruit as worth 
returning, while the contrary 
is often the case Avith inferior 
kinds. 

Crates and baskets are in 
some cases returned free by 
the railroad and steamboat 
companies, unless the distance 
to market is too great ; under 
such circumstances it is best 
not to expect it, but ship the 
fruit in cheap baskets, unless 
it will bring enough more, as in the instance named, to 
pay for packing in a better style. 

The most common basket used for the Ncav York mar- 
ket is Avhat is called the Jersey Strawberry basket, figure 
102 ; it requires from five to seven to hold a quart. Of 
late years this basket is seldom used, except for the smaller 




•JER&El BA&KET 



258 SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. 

varieties of the Strawberry, They are usually made by 
the fruit growers themselves in winter, but sometimes 
they are made for sale, and the price varies from |10 to 
$15 per 1,000. A half dozen of the larger varieties of 
Strawberries will fill one of these Jersey baskets. 

The Kaspberry baskets formerly used in New York 
State, were mainly of this style, but a little larger ; other 
kinds of baskets are now rajjidly coming into use, and it 
is to be hoped that our small fruits will soon be sold by 
measure, and not by the basket, regardless of its size, 
whether it be the size of a thimble, or will hold a half pint 
or pint, as formerly. 

Baskets or boxes holding a pint or quart, full measure, 
are most iu vogue at the present time, and new patterns 
are constantly being brought forward, each claiming to be 
an improvement upon its immediate predecessor. 

With most of the small fruits ventilation is requisite to 
preservation for even a very short time, and this very es- 
sential point has not been lost sight of by the manufac- 
turers of most of the new boxes or baskets now before 
the public. 

When fruit is only to be transported a short distance, 
and will reach the consumer within twelve or fifteen hours 
after. being gathered, ventilation, fiirther than that which 
it will receive through an open crate, is not very import- 
ant, or scarcely necessary. 

The idea of ventilation applied to baskets or boxes is a 
good one, particularly for some kinds of fruit, but there is 
no necessity of carrying it to extremes, so that the vessels 
made for holding fruit are scarcely more than fragile 
wooden nets. 

The following are some of the most popular baskets 
now in use at the East, All are patented : 

American Itasket. 

This basket is manufactured by the American Basket 



PEEPARATION FOR GATHERING FRUIT. 



259 




Fig. 103. — AMERICAN BASKET. 



Company, New Britain, Conn. They are made of two 
sizes, quarts and pints, and of the 
form shown in figure 103. They 
are very strong, of neat appear- 
ance, and one of the best baskets 
with Avhich I am acquainted. 
Those who prefer to make their 
own crates can purchase the 
baskets separately, and their pe- 
cuHar form admits of their be- 
ing very compactly nested 
for transportation, as shown 
in figure 104. 

The manufacturers also fur- 
nish crates to those who de- 
sire them. A 32 quart crate 
is shown in figure 105, each 
one being furnished with lock 
attached Avith a small chain. 
The fruit grower keeps a key 
to lock the crate, and the one 
to whom the fruit is con- 
signed, has a duplicate, with 
which to open it when re- 
ceived. Price of the above 
baskets is at present as folloAvs : 
Quart berry baskets 
Pint berry baskets 
32 quart crate 

60 quart crate - - - 
When the baskets are sent nested, as shown, $2.00 per 
1,000 is charged for the boxes in which they are packed. 

Halloclc Fruit Box. 

A square box, figure 106, made of thin, light wood, with 
holes bored in the sides for ventilation, as shown. The 




104. — STOCK OF BASKET. 



130 per 1,000 

$25 per 1,000 

- $2.00 

$2.50 



260 SMALL FKurr cultukist. 

bottom is set Avithin tlio sides, and about tliree-foiirtlis of 




Fig. 105. — CRATE OF AMERICAN BASKETS. 

an inch above the lower edge, so that ■when one box is set 
in the crate above the other, there will be a small space 

between the fruit of the lower 
— ^"^ one and the bottom of the one 

^^-.. ' &^^«- above. This also admits of 

each box being filled a little 
more than even full, and still 
the fruit will not be crushed 
by the one above it. 

These boxes are used in 
large quantities at the West, 
also considerably in some portions of the East. Some 
fruit growers object to any box or basket with perpendic- 
ular sides, because the fruit will settle more in carrying 
than Avhen the sides slope, as in the American basket. 
There are advantages in both forms, also disadvantages. 
A square box, Avith perpendicular sides, packs and remains 
more firmly in its place than any other, but ventilation 
through the sides cannot be obtained, and the fruit Avill 
certainly crush more readily than in boxes Avith sloi^ing 
sides. 

The price of the Hallock box I am unable to giv'e, as 




106. — UALLOCK FUUIT BOX. 



PliEPAUATION FOR GATHERING FRUIT. 



261 



the inventor failed to furnish the information Avlien send- 
ing his specimen. Manufactured by IST. 
Hallock, Queens, Queens County, N. Y. 



r^ 



Free ri'Hit Itox. 

Figure 107. As its name implies, this 
box is intended to be given away with the 
fruit. This "will be quite convenient for 
those Avho forget to take a basket with 
them in the morning when going to 
business, and thereby have a very 
plausible excuse for not bringing home 
some fruit for tea. The manufacturer, 
in his circular, thus describes this box : 




Fig. 107. — FREE FRUIT BOX. 

" This box was invented for the purpose 
of relieving fruit growers of one of the 
most annoying incidents of sending their 
fruit a long distance to market — the neces- 
sity of having their crates and boxes re- 
turned to them. It supplies a want which 
has always existed in the berry trade, and 
will be sold so cheaj) that it can he given 
away with the fruit. In appearance, it is 
remarkably neat, light, but substantial, 
while the fruit will always go to market 
in a perfectly clean box. Though given 
away, it will save the grower money, 



r 



Fig. 108. — SIDE 

OF FK0IT BOX. 



262 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

enable him to get a better price for his fruit, and put 
an end to the annual loss of boxes, besides saving him 
the necessity of keej^ing a vast quantity of the boxes and 
crates on hand to provide for the delay of returning them. 
The box is composed of two pieces of veneer. Figure 
108 represents a piece which is folded up into four sides of 
the box. It is scored or cut at the dotted lines, so that it 
can be folded up into a shell as readily as a piece of paste- 
board. The tongue at the left hand end, buckles into the 
two slots at the right hand end, just like closing a jDocket 
book. A notch on the end of the tongue catches so effec- 
tually, after being buckled in, as to hold the shell firmly 
together. 

The bottom is shown in figure 109. The two tongues at 
the end are also scored or cut at the dotted lines, and be- 
ing readily turned up, are buckled into the two sets of 

slots sliown on 
the left hand 
edge of figure 
108. When thus 
buckled togeth- 
er, the two pieces 
form a perfect 

Fig. lO'J.— BOTTOM OF BOX. \)0X, aS SCCU lu 

figure 107, neither nails nor glue being required, and 
the whole constituting a strong and beautiful box. The 
bottom cannot fall out, as it is held firmly in its place by 
the spring of the Avood. The prominent advantages se- 
cured by the use of this box are as follows : 

1. The great desideratum of a box always nice and 
cleanly is, for the first time, secured. 

2. The commission agent being relieved from the great 
annoyance of hunting up and returning crates and boxes, 
as well as escaping the loss of them, will sell the fruit for 
much less than the usu^al commission. 

3. The return freight of empty boxes is saved, and tliis, 



^ 



T 



PREPARATION FOR GATHERING FRUIT. 



26.' 



added to the saving in commission, Avill more than pay 
for cost of crates and boxes. 

4. Another saving is secured in sending to market, as 
100 of the Free boxes, quart measures, weigh only 9^ 
pounds, while 100 of the old square quarts weigh 50 
jiounds.- As fruit in'crates goes to market by weight, the 
new box saves 80 per cent of the weight. Any one can 
readily satisfy himself by a calculation of what is thus 
saved in freight to market, commission, and return of 
empty crate, that he will really save money by using a box 
that he can give away. It will be found cheaper to use a 
box only once than to continue using it many times. 

5. As these boxes are put together without nails or 
glue, they can be sent to 
distant growers, in the shape 
of flats, to be made up by 
children at odd times dur- 
ing the winter. The flats 
are scored, ready for fold- 
ing up, and as the wood 
bends at the joint Avithout 
breaking, a small girl will 
learn in five minutes how 
to put them together. 
Many hundred boxes thus 
packed as flats, can be got into a very small compass, and 
at trifling cost of freight." Present prices : 

Quart boxes, made up, - - $10.50 per 1,000 
Pint boxes, made up, - - - 10.00 per 1,000 
Quart boxes, in flats, - - 10.00 per 1,000 

Pint boxes, in flats, - - - 7.50 per 1,000 

Square Cliip Basket. 

Figure 110. Here we have an improvement on the com- 
mon Jersey basket. The slats are reversed, the wide 
ones passing around the basket, and the small ones form- 




Fig. 110. — SQARE CHIP BASKET. 



264 SMALL FEUrr CULTUEIST. 

ing the uiorights, thereby giving a comparativel-y smooth 
surface, allowing the baskets to be lifted out or put back 
into place iu the crates, without catching upon those ad- 
joining, and upsetting them, as is often the case with the 
common one. These baskets are made square, conse- 
quently pack very closely together, leaving no vacant 
spaces between them. An excellent basket for Raspber- 
ries. Made by T. J. Park, Marlboro, Ulster County, N. 
Y. Price, $3.00 per 100. 

fiiotliic Tree IPa-Biit 15ox. 

This box is intended to be given away Avith the friiit. 
They are of an octagon shape, as shown in fig. Ill, made 
of veneer, and can be sent in flats and put together by the 
fruit grower, thus saving much expense in transjjortation. 



*^. I'll— t 
'^toiiiiiiiiJiiiii liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 




Fig. 111.— GOTHIC FREE FKUIT BOX. Fil^. 113.— COOK'S CASKET. 

The material, all ready to be put together, is furnished by 
F. II. Lumus & Co., the manufacturers, for $10 per 1000. 

Cook's-Basket. 

This is a very neat and pretty basket, very strong and 
durable. Some of our fruit groAvers object to it on ac- 
count of the small strips of Avhich it is made, because, as 
tlie berries settle, they are injured, by being cut by the 
sharp edges. It is, however, an excellent basket, and well 
worthy of the attention of the cultivator of the small 
fruits. Manufactured by D. Cook, New Haven, Conn. 



PREPARATION FOR GATHERING FRITIT. 



265 




Guernsey l^riiit Sox. 

This is a round box, fig. 113, made of tliin veneer and 
reversible, as either end may be used as the cover, there 

being a thin band within 

which holds both ends to- 

=, gether. This box would 

\:^ answer better for Currants 

J and Gooseberries, than for 

Raspberries and similar 

fruit, as it is not ventilated ; 

but this might be done by 

boring holes through one 

_ 113.-GUERNSET BOX. ^^^^ Mauufactured by Wm. 

B. Guernsey. Price, $50 per 1000. 

.Io]ii!i«»tou''s I*remiiim Fi-wit Case 

" Is made up of four trays 17 inches wide, 23 inches long, 

and 3 inches deep, holding a little over one half bushel; 

side pieces (1, in fig. 114) half 

inch thick, 3 inches Avide, 23 

inches long ; ends (2) f inch 

thick, 3 inches Avide and 19^ 

inches long ; bottoms of three 

upper trays -y inch tliiek ; 

standards (5) 2 inches by f 

by 15 ; cover cleats (6) 2 

inches by f by 18 ; tops (4) 

24 inches by 6 by f ; handles (2) 23 inches by 2 by f ; 
bottoms of case 24 inches by 6 by -^ ; the 
bottom tray is made of heavier stuff, sides 
(4,, in fig. 115) f inch thick, end 1^ inch 
thick and sides are let in to the ends as seen 
in 1 -, this tends to strengthen the standard, 
2, which is firmly nailed to both side and end 
pieces. The trays are separated by slats f inch 

by 2 inches, with the ends projecting about \ an inch, as 
12 




114. — JOHNSTON'S CASE. 




266 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

seen in fig. 14. The cover lias also a narrow slat at each end. 
The cover is fastened by bending a piece of hoop iron 
aronnd the standard, and fastening it to both sides of the 
cover cleats with screws, and a spring made of the same 
is attached to the inside edge of the standard, runs up 
through, and hooks over the band of hoop iron, the stand- 
ard being sawed out to admit of working the sprmg, as 
seen in fig. 14, 

Care should be taken to make the trays all square, and 
the covers all alike, so that each Avill fit in any case. In 
order to have the standards all alike, the handles should 
not be put on until after the covers are. In getting out a 
bill of material, have it sawed in planks at the saw mill, 
as thick as you want the pieces wide, and have it worked 
up by circular saw." 

I am not aware that this style of case is in use at the 
East, but it is a western invention, and used by growers in 
that section. 

Smif li*s Orapc Itox. 

Though made with reference to packing grapes, this 
box will answer for Currants, Gooseberries, and those fruits 

that do not especi- 
ally need ventila- 
tion. The sides of 
': this box are made 
of veneer, cut part- 
J ly through at the 
- edges where it 
bends over the end 
S pieces, which are 
thick enough to al- 
Fig. 116.— smith's gkape box. low the sides to be 

nailed to them. The cover fastens down by tacking the 
flap to the ends. They are made with the sides, top and 
bottom all in one piece, as shown in figure 116, or with 



Biiiiiii'""" 




PEEPAEATIOK FOR GATHERIKG FEUIT. 267 

these in two pieces, so tliat it is reversible and may be 
opened at either top or bottom. Patented and made by 
J. B. Smith, Ansoiiia, Conn. Boxes to hold 5 lbs. of 
gi'apes, in the flat, nails included, for $60 per 1000. 

GATHERING FRUIT. 

In sectioDS where the small fruits are grown extensive- 
ly, women and children are chiefly employed to gather 
them, being paid so much per basket. 

The small Jersey Strawberries are generally pulled, as 
it is called, or separated from the calyx, or hull, when 
picked ; with the larger kinds it is left on. The price 
paid for picking varies from seventy-five cents to one dol- 
lar twenty-five cents per hundred for the small baskets, 
and three to five cents per quart for the larger Strawber- 
ries, Raspberries and Blackberries. At these prices, an 
expert hand will make two to three dollars j)er day 
Avhere the fruit is abundant. 

The fruit should always be gathered in dry weather, 
and none should be picked in the morning while the dew 
is on. 

The usual method practiced in the larger plantations is 
something like the following : 

A tent or temporary shed is erected in or near the field 
in which the fruit is grown, and the superintendent remains 
in this and takes charge of the fruit as it is brouglit in, 
giving each picker a ticket, stating the number of baskets 
brought in. When one or two hundred baskets are gath- 
ered, then the small tickets are taken up and a large one 
given, on which is printed good for one, two, or more 
dollars, as the case may be. These tickets are redeemed 
at the end of the week, provided the holder retains them 
until that time ; but with some a week is a very long time 
to keep a promise to pay, and they sell them. In some 
portions of New Jersey, and perhaps elsewhere, these 



268 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUniST. 




T'lff. 117. — BASKET STAND. 



tickets pass current at the stores in the vicinity, and the 
merchants take them in exchange for goods, and when the 
season is over, present them to the proper persons for re- 
demption. 

At the time of gathering, each picker is furnished with a 

stand, figure 117, 
hokling ten to 
twenty-five baskets. 
When all are filled, 
they are carried to 
the tent and put 
into the crates, 
ready for sending 
to market. The small Jersey baskets are put into crates 
holding from one hundred and fifty to two hundred each, 
but when pint and quart baskets are used, from thirty to 
sixty go in a crate. 

The pickers have to conform to certain rules promulgat- 
ed by the nabob of the tent, for there must be discipline 
and system observed in fruit gathering, as in every other 
business, to produce the best result. No picker must be 
allowed to encroach upon his neighbor, and wlien a row 
or bed is selected at the start, it must be retained until all 
the fruit for that time is gathered. The next bed or row 
must be taken by Jot — and no dodging because it happens 
to be a poor one. 

The time of the vintage is one of rejoicing in the vine 
countries of Europe, and equally so is the time of gather- 
ing the small fruits in America. Good feelings prevail on 
all sides, and particularly if the crop is abundant, for both. 
em])loyer and the employed are abundantly rewarded for 
their labor. 



TABLE OF DISTANCES. 269 

TABLE- OF DISTANCES. 



To sJiow at a glance the number of JiiUs or jilanfs contained in an acre of land, at 
any given distance from each otlm\from 40 feet by 40, to 1 foot by 1, omitting 
fractions. Divide the amount by ICO, zvUl sltow the No. for 1 rod. 



feet feet 


per acre \feet 


feet 


Xier aa-e 


feet feet\per acre 


\feet feet per acre 


40 by 40 


27 111 


jy 5 


792 


5 6byl 6 


5280 


3 3by3 


4818 


39 . . 39 


28 10 


. 10 


435 


— ..10 


7930 


— ..29 


4883 


38 .. 38 


30 — 


. 8 


544 


5 .. 5 


1743 


-..26 


5361 


37 . . 37 


31 — 


. 6 


726 


— ..46 


1936 


— ..23 


5956 


36 . . 36 


33 — 


. 5 


871 


— ..4 


2178 


— ..20 


6701 


a5 . . 35 


35 — 


. 4 


1089 


— ..30 


2904 


— ..19 


7658 


34 .. ai 


37 — 


. 3 


1453 


— ..3 6 


3484 


— . . 1 6 


8935 


33 . . 33 


40 — 


2 


2178 


— .2 


4.356 


- . . 1 3 


10733 


33 . . 32 


43 — 


; 1 


4.356 


— ..16 


5808 


— ..10 


13403 


31 . . 31 


45 9 


. 9 


537 


— ..10 


8719 


3 .. 3 


4840 


30 .. 30 


48 — 


. 8 


605 


4 6 . . 4 6 


2151 


— ..29 


5389 


39 .29 


51 — 


. 6 


806 


- . . 4 


2420 


— ..36 


5808 


28 .. 28 


55 — 


. 5 


968 


— . . 3 6 


2765 


— ..23 


(M53 


27 ..27 


59 — 


. 4 


1210 


— . . 3 


3336 


— ..20 


7360 


26 . . 26 


(U — 


. 3 


1613 


— . . 2 6 


.3873 


— ..19 


8397 


25 . . 25 


09 — 


. 2 


2420 


— ..20 


4840 


— ..16 


9(i80 


24 . . 21 


75 — 


. 1 


4840 


— ..16 


64.53 


— ..13 


11616 


23 . . 23 


82 8 


. 8 


680 


— ..10 


9680 


— ..10 


14530 


23 22 


90 — 


. 6 


905 


4 .. 4 


2722 


2 9 .. 2 9 


5760 


21 '. ; 21 


98 — 


. 5 


1089 


— ..39 


2904 


— ..2 6 


6336 


20 . . 20 


108 — 


. 4 


1361 


— . . 3 6 


3111 


— . . 2 3 


7040 


— ..15 


145 — 


. 3 


1815 


— . . 3 3 


3.350 


— ..20 


7920 


— .. 10 


217 — 


. 2 


1733 


— . . 3 


.3630 


— ..19 


9051 


— .. 5 


4.35 — 


. 1 


5445 


— ..26 


4.356 


— ..16 


10.5()0 


19 ..19 


130 7 


. 7 


888 


— ..23 


..iSM 


— ..13 


12673 


— . . 15 


153 — 


. 6 6 


957 


— ..2 


5445 


— ..10 


15840 


— .. 10 


239 — 


. 6 


1037 


— ..19 


6233 


2 6 .. 2 6 


6969 


— .. 6 


458 — 


. 5 


1344 


— . . 1 6 


7360 


— . . 2 3 


7740 


18 . . 18 


131 


. 4 6 


1:383 


— ..13 


8712 


— ..20 


8713 


— .. 15 


161 - 


. 4 


1555 


— ..10 


10890 


— ..19 


99,50 


— .. 10 


243 — 


. 3 6 


1777 


3 9.. 3 9 


3097 


— . . 1 (i 


11616 


— .. 6 


4^1 — 


. 3 


2074 


— ..36 


3318 


— ..13 


1.3939 


17 .. 17 


150 — 


. 2 6 


2489 


— ..33 


3574 


— ..10 


17424 


— . . 15 


170 — 


. 3 


3111 


— ..3 


3872 


2 3 .. 2 3 


8604 


— .. 10 


2-56 — 


. 1 G 


4148 


3 9 .. 2 9 


4224 


— ..20 


96S0 


— . . 5 


512 - 


. 1 


6333 


— ..2 6 


4646 


— ..19 


110(;3 


16 . . 16 


170 


. 6 


1310 


— ..23 


5163 


— ..16 


13906 


— .. 15 


175 — 


. 5 6 


1330 . 


— ..2 


5808 


— . . 1 3 


1.5488 


— .. 10 


272 — 


. 5 


1453 


— ..19 


6637 


— ..10 


19360 


— .. 5 


544 — 


. 4 6 


1613 


— ..16 


7744 


3 . . 2 


10890 


15 ..15 


193 — 


. 4 


1815 


— ..13 


9272 


— ..19 


13445 


— .. 10 


290 — 


. 3 6 


2074 


— ..10 


11616 


— ..16 


14530 


— .. 5 


580 — 


. 3 


^30 


3 6 .. 3 6 


3535 


— ..13 


17424 


14 . . 14 


233 — 


. 2 6 


2904 


— ..33 


3839 


— ..10 


21780 


- .. 10 


811 — 


. 2 


3630 


— ..30 


4148 


1 9 ..1 9 


1423:3 




622 — 


. 1 6 


4840 


— . . 2 9 


4o25 


-..16 


16504 


13 '.'. 13 


2.57 - 


. 1 


7260 


— . . 3 6 


4978 


— . . 1 3 


19913 


— .. 10 


335 5 6 


. 5 6 


1417 


— ..23 


5531 


— ..10 


34454 


— .. 5 


670 — 


. 5 


1584 


— ..30 


6333 


1 6 .. 1 6 


19.360 


12 . . 12 


303 — 


. 4 6 


1760 


— ..19 


7111 


— . . 1 3 


233:J3 


— .. 10 


363 — 


. 4 


1980 


— ..16 


8397 


— . ; 1 


39040 


— .. 5 


730 — 


. 3 6 


2362 


— ..13 


9956 


1 3 . . 1 3 27878 


11 ..11 


360 — 


. 3 


2640 


— ..10 


12445 


— ..10 34848 


— .. 10 


396 — 


. 2 


3960 


3 3.. 3 3 


4134 


1 . . 1 43560 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Synonyms are put in Italics. 



.fficidiiim Berberidis 29 

Argema obtusatum S3 

Barberr-t . 20 

" Culture of 25 

" History of 21 

" Diseases of 29 

" Mildew 29 

'' Propagation 21 

" Black-fruited. 28 

" Chinese 28 

" Common 20-2.5 

" Cretan 28 

" Iberian 28 

'• Magellan Sweet 20 

" Nepaul 20 

" Purple-fruited 28 

" Purple-leaved 27 

" Siberian 28 

" Sweet-fruited 27 

" Violet-fruited 28 

" White-fruited 27 

" Yellow-fruited 28 

Basket, American 258 

" Cook's 264 

" Jersey 257 

" Square Chip 263 

Basket Stand 208 

Berberis 20 

" aristata 20 

" Asiatica 20 

" buxifolia 20 

" Canadensis 20 

" Chitra 20 

'• Cretica 28 

" Iberica 28 

" rotundifolia 20 

" Sibirica 28 

" Sinensis 28 

" vulgaris 20-25 

" " alba 27 

270 



Berberis, vulgaris asperma 27 

" " dulcis 27 

" " glauca 27 

" " longifolia 27 

" " lutea 28 

" " mitis 28 

" " nigra 28 

" purpurea 28 

" violacea 28 

Blackberry 168 

Albion 179 

Cape May 175 

Claret 179 

Col. Wilder 179 

Common High 168 

Crystal White 181 

Cultivation 171 

Cumberland 174 

Cut-Leaved 172 

Cutter's Mulberry 181 

Dr. Warder 181 

Dorchester 175 

European 170 

Felton 175 

Holcomb 175 

Kittatinny 175 

Lawton 178 

Low 169 

Low Bush 169 

Mason's Mountain 181 

Needbam's White 179 

Newman's Thornless 178 

NewRochelle 178 

Par.sle3'-Leaved 173 

Propagation of 171 

Pruning Shears 172 

Pruning Hook 173 

Running Swamp 169 

Sand 169 

Seacor's J/ammolh 178 



GENERAL INDEX, 



271 



Blackberry, Washington 181 

" Wilson's Early 179 

Blueberry, Canada 2-17 

Dwarf 247 

" Swamp 247 

Blue Dangleberry 246 

Buflalo Berry 251 

Cherry, Comeliau 225 

Cheriy, Dwarf .183 

Cloud Berry 115 

Cornel 225 

Cornelian Cherry 225 

Cornus mascula 225 

Ckanbekrt 231 

" Applying water to 239 

" Bush 232 

" Common 231 

" Cultivation of 239 

" Gathering 240 

" History of 232 

" Insects 241 

" Planting 237 

" Preparation of Soil for 234 

" Profits of Culture ^ . 244 

" Propagation 233 

" Selection of Plants. . , 238 

" Small 231 

" Upland Culture 242 

" Varieties of 240 

Crows and Fruit Culture &4 

CUEEANT 186 

" Foreign Varieties 202 

" History of 187 

" Insects and Diseases 196 

" Native Varieties 199 

" Propagation from Cuttings. 190 
" Propagation from Layers. . . 192 
" Propagation from Seeds.-. . .188 
" Propagation from Suckers. .192 

" Pruning and training 193 

" Soil and Cultivation 192 

" Attractor 203 

" American Black 199 

" Black English 209 

" Black Grape 210 

" Black Naples 210 

" Black Varieties 204 

" Brown Fruited 211 

" Buist's Long-Bunched Kcd . 204 

" Cassis Boycil of Naples 210 

" Champagne 204 

" Cherry 204 



Currant, Clarke's Sweet 209 

Dana's White 205 

Deseret ...199 

Fertile d' Angers of Leronj . .204 

Fertile de Palluau 206 

Fetid 186 

Gloire de Sablous 206 

Golden 200 

Goliath 208 

Goudouin Red 206 

Gondouin White 206 

Green Fruited 211 

Gros Rouge d' Angers 206 

Holland Long Grape 206 

Houghton Castle 208 

Imperial Jaune 200 

Imperial Rouge 204 

Imperial Yellow 206 

IrUh Grape 204 

KriighVs Early Red 207 

Knights' Large Red 207 

Knights' Sweet Red 207 

La Caucase 204 

La Fertile 207 

LaHative 207 

La native de Be;iin 207 

Large Red Angers 204-206 

Large Red Dutch 207 

Long Bundled Red 207 

Macrocarpa 204 

May's Victoria 208 

Missouri 187 

Missouri Black 200 

Missouri Sweet Fruited 201 

Morgan's Red 207 

Napoleon Red 204 

New Red Dutch 207 

New White Dutch 209 

Ogden's Black Grape 210 

Pheasant's Eye 204 

Prince Albert 207 

Profits of Culture 211 

Roby Castle 208 

Red 187 

Red Dutch 207 

Red Flowering 187 

Red Grape 208 

Red Grape 208 

Red Imperial 204 

Red Provence 208 

Reeves' White 209 

Rouge a Grosse Fruit 207 



273 



GENEKAL INDEX. 



Currant, Fi/s^ia7i Green 211 

Striped Fruited 208 

Trausparent White 208 

Uses of 211 

" Versailles 205 

" Victoria 208 

" While Anhvei'j} 209 

" White Clinton 209 

" White Crystal 209 

" White Dutch 209 

" White Grape 209 

" Wiite Holland 209 

" TI7«Ye Imperial 206 

" White Leghorn ..-. 209 

" Wliite Pearl 209 

" White Provence 209 

" White Transparent 209 

" Wilmofs Bed Grape 208 

Wild Black 186 

Dangleberry, Blue 246 

Dewberry 109 

Dwarf Cherry 1S3 

Forcing Houses 74 

Fragaria 31 

" collina 32 

" elatior 32 

" grandiflora 32 

" Indica 32 

" monophylla Ill 

" vesca 31 

" Virginiana. , 32 

Fruit Box, Free 261 

" Gothic Free 264 

" Guernsey. ; 265 

" Hallock'8 259 

" Smith's 206 

Fruit Case, Johnston's Premium.. . .265 

Gathering Fruit 255-267 

Gaylussacia frondosa 246 

" resinosa 247 

GOOSEBERKT 214 

American Bed 223 

Cluster 223 

Cluster Seedling 223 

Downing 222 

Butch Joe 233 

Foreign Species 215 

Foreign Varieties 223 

History 216 

Houghton's Seedling... 222 

Insects Injurious to 230 

Mountain Seedling 222 



Gooseberry,Native Species 214 

" Native Varieties 222 

" Pale Bed 223 

" Prize English Varieties.222 

Profits of Culture 221 

" Propagation of. 216 

" Pruning and Training. . 217 
' ' Boberts' Sweet Water .... 223 

" St. Clair 222 

" Small Leaved 215 

Smooth 214 

" Soil and Culture 219 

" Swamp 215 

Grosse de Buffle 251 

Hyppophae argentea 251 

Huckleberry 246 

Black ^7 

" Dwarf 24T 

" High-bush 347 

Insects. 

" Abraxis Grossulariata 196 

" " ribearia 197 

" Blackberry Bush Borer 141 

" Byturus tomentosus 141 

" Cecidomya Grossularias 221 

" Currant Borer, American. . .198 

" " Borer, European 198 

Worm 19G 

" Gooseberry Bark-louse 220 

" " Midge 221 

Moth 221 

" Lecanium Cynosbati 220 

" Magpie Moth 196 

" May Beetle 83 

" Mealy Plata 220 

" Pa;ciloptera primosa 220 

Plant-Lonse 86 

" Prenocerus supernotatus. . .198 

" Trochilium caudatum 199 

" " tipulifomie 198 

M^'hiteGrub 83 

Introduction 7 

Microsphoeria Berberidis 30 

Mulberry 115 

Number of Plants to the Acre 269 

Preparation for Gathering Fruit. . . 255 

Propagation, by Cuttings 23 

" Green-wood Cuttings.. 34 

" Root Cuttings 117 

Prunus pumila 184 

Rabbit Berry 251 



GENERAL INDEX, 



273 



Raspbekrt 114 

" Americau Black 141 

" Black 115 

" 'Black-Cap,Propagationofl23 

" Brand 140 

Rust 140 

" Disease and Insects 140 

" Duration of Plants 139 

" Dwarf 115 

" European 110 

" Garden Culture of 137 

" History of. 110 

" Planting and Culture... .131 

" Propagation of 117 

" Pruning of 134 

" Purple Flowering 114 

" Selection of Plants 131 

" Training of 135 

" Varieties for Family Use. .106 

" Varieties for Market 107 

" White Flowering 115 

" Wild Red 115 

" Winter Protection of. 130 

" Allen's Antwerp 151 

" Allen's Red Prolific 151 

" American Improved 142 

" American Red Cane 147 

" American White Caj) 142 

" Antwerp 156 

" Antwerp Red 156 

" Antwerp Yellow 150 

" Bayley's Perpetual 158 

" Barnet 150 

" BarmVs Antwerp 156 

" Beehive 105 

" Belle de Foutenay 157 

" Belle de Palluau 158 

" Brentford Cane 157 

" BrincUe's Orange 163 

" Bromley Hill 165 

" Bv.rley's Antwerp 156 

" Burlington 157 

" Catawissa 140 

" Chili Monthly 105 

" Clarke 158 

'• Col. Wilder 159 

" Cope 159 

" Cornish 105 

" Cornwall's Prvlijk 156 

' ' Cornwall" s Seedling 156 

" Cretan Red 159 

" CushiDg 150 

12* 



Raspberry, Cutbush's Prince ofWalesl59 

" Cos's Honey 165 

" Davison's Thornless 143 

' ' Doolittle's Black Cap 143 

" Doolittle's Red-Flavored 

Black 143 

" Downing 166 

" Double Bearing 100 

" Double Bearing Yellow. . .156 

" Duhring 160 

" Early Prolific 165 

Ellisdale 146 

Elsie 143 

Emily 106 

" English Antwerp 156 

Fastolflr 100 

Fillbasket 100 

" Foreign Varieties 155 

" Franconia 161 

" French 161 

Fulton 101 

" Gardiner 147 

" General Patterson 161 

Golden Cap 142 

" Hornet 101 

" HowlaiuVs Antiverp 156 

" Hudson River Antwerp. . . 156 

" Huntsman's Giant 162 

" Imperial 162 

' ' Improved Black Cap 142 

" Jillard's Seedling 165 

" Joslyn's Improved 142 

Jouet 162 

" Keystone 165 

Kirtland 154 

" Knevetts Antwerp 156 

" Knevet's Giant 162 

" Large Fruited Monthly. . . 102 

" Large Red 156 

" Longworth 165 

" Lord Exmouth 156 

" Magnum Bonum 163 

" Marvel of the Four SeasonsWB 
" Merveille Quatre Saisons.136 

" Miami Black Cap 143 

' ' Montldy Black Cap 143 

Mote's Seedling 166 

" Mrs. Ingersoll 165 

" Mrs. Wilder 166 

" Naomi 163 

" New Everbearing 106 

" New Bed Antwerp 156 



274 



GENERAL INDEX. 



B&spherryNbiihumlierkmdMUbctsketKiO 
" Nottingham Scarlet. ... .160 

" Ohio Everbearing 143 

" Old Bed Antwerp 156 

" Orange ... 163 

" Pearl 154 

" Philadelphia 147 

" Pilate 163 

" Princess Alice 166 

" Purple Cane 147 

" Purple Cane Family 144 

" Richardson 166 

" Bivers' New Monthly 162 

" Rivers' Seedlings 163 

" RusseirsRed .161 

" St. Louis 166 

" Scarlet 154 

" Semper Fidelis 164 

" Seneca Black Cap 143 

" Souchettii 164 

" Spring Grove 166 

" Stoever 154 

" Summit Black Cap 144 

" Superb 166 

" Superb d' Angleterre 166 

" Surpasse Merveille 166 

" Surprise 144 

" Taylor's Paragon 166 

" Thornless Blackcap 143 

" True Bed Antwerp 156 

"■ Vice Pi-esident French 161 

" Victoria 157 

" Walker 164 

" W7iite Antwerp 156 

" White Transpiarent 164 

" Wild Red 149 

" Wilmot's Early Red 166 

" Woodside 144 

" Woodward 166 

Woodward's Red Globe. .166 

" Yellow Cap 142 

Yellow Chili 165 

Ribes 186 

" anreum 187 

" cuneifolium 215 

" Cynosbati. . . 214 

" divaricatum 215 

" floridum 186 

" gracile 215 

" Grossularia 215 

" hirtellum 214 

" , lacustre 215 



Ribes microphyllum 215 

" nigrum 187 

"f oxycanthoides 215 

prostratum 186 

rotundifolium 215 

rubrum 187 

sanguineum 187 

Uva crispa 215 

Root Cuttings 117 

Rubus 114 

" Canadensis 169 

" Chamfemorus 115 

" cuneifolins 169 

" fruticosus 170 

" hispidus 169 

" Idieus 116 

" Japonicus 116 

" ladniatus 173 

" macropetalus 116 

" Nutkanus 115 

" occidentalis US 

" odoratus 114 

" spectabilis 170 

" strigosus 115 

" triflorus 115 

" trivialis 169 

" villosus 168 

Shephcrdia 251 

" argentea 251 

" Canadensis 254 

Slugs 85 

Strawbeert 31 

" Brand 83 

" Culture, Annual 63 

" " Biennial 62 

" " Garden 64 

" " Rows and Hills. 63 

" Diseases and Insects 83 

" Forcing 70 

" History of.... 32 

" Houses for 74 

" Hybridizing andCrossing 7t> 

" Manures for 54 

" Planting and Cultivation 60 
" Preparation of Plants... 57 

" Propagation of 48 

" " by Division of Roots 53 

" " by Runners 52 

" " by Seeds 50 

" Sexuality of. 39 

" Soil and Situation 53 

" Structure of Plants. . -.46 



GENERAL INDEX. 



275 



strawberry, Thinuing the Fruit 76 

" Tiles 07 

" Time to plant 56 

" Varieties for Forcing — 75 

Vase 67 

" Winter Protection 70 

List of Varieties. 

Admiral Dimdas 104 

Agriculturist 88 

Albion White 95 

Alpine 31 

Alpine Blanc 110 

Alpine Red .110 

Alpine Red Monthly 110 

Alpine Itoitge 110 

Alpine White 110 

Alpine White Monthly 110 

Alpine Varieties 110 

Ambrosia 104 

Amencan Aljnne 110 

American Queen 101 

Austin 88 

Autwmuil Oalande 110 

Baltimore Scarlet 89 

Barnes' Seedling 102 

Baron Beman de Linnick 104 

Bartlett 88 

Belle Artesienue 105 

Belle Bordelaise Ill 

Belle de Vibert 105 

Berancon 110 

Bicolor 105 

Bijou 105 

Black Hautbois 112 

Bont6 de St. Julien 104 

Boston Pine 88 

Bouled'Or 104 

Boyden's Mammoth 102 

Brighton Pine 89 

Brooklyn Scarlet 89 

Brooks' Prolific 89 

Buffalo 96 

Bunce 91 

Burr's New Pine 89 

Bush Alpine, Red Ill 

3ush Alpine, White Ill 

Byberry 101 

Caperon Royale 112 

Carnolia Magna .105 

Caucasian Ill 

CMliau 91 



Chorlton's Prolific 89 

Clinton 103 

Col. Ellsworth 90 

Crimson Cone 90 

Crimson Favorite 90 

Cutter's Seedling 91 

Dagge's Seedling 102 

Dent de C/ieval HO 

De Montr euU a Fruit Blanc HO 

De MontreuU a Fruit Rouge 110 

De Montreuil a Marteau 110 

Deptford Pine 105 

Des Alpes a Fruit Rouge 110 

Diadem 92 

Dioecious Hautbois HI 

Double Bearing 113 

Downer's Prolific 91 

Duke de Malakoff 105 

Durand's Seedling 91 

Early Scarlet 93 

Eclipse 93 

Eliza 105 

Elton Improved 105 

Emily 93 

Emma 105 

Empress Eugenie 105 

Faulkner's King 98 

Fillmore 92 

Foreign Varieties 103 

French's Seedling 98 

Fi-issant HO 

Frogmore Late Pine 105 

Garibaldi 103 

General McCleUan 96 

General Scott 102 

Genesee 103 

Georgia Mammoth 93 

Germantown 94 

Gilbert's Large Brown Ill 

Globe Hautbois 112 

Glory de Nancy Aljyine 110 

Golden Seeded 93 

Golden Queen 93 

Goliath 106 

Great Eastern 93 

Green 32 

Green Alpine Ill 

Green Pine Apple y, Ill 

Green Prolific 93 

Green Wood. . HI 

Gwentver 106 

Haquin 106 



276 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Hautbois 32 

Hautbois Varieties Ill 

Hermaphrodite 113 

Hero 100 

Hillman 100 

Hooker 94 

Hovey 94 

Huntsman's Montivideo 102 

Ida 94 

India 32 

Iowa 94 

Jenny Liud 102 

Jucuuda 106 

Kate 106 

Kimberly Pine 107 

Knox's 700 106 

La Constante 107 

Ladies' Pine 94 

Lady Finger 95 

La Mendonaise 110 

Large-flowering 32 

La Sultanne 107 

Lc Baron 94 

Leed's Prolific 102 

Leunig's Wliite 95 

Leon de St. Laiimer 107 

Little Monitor 102 

Long Fruited Muscatell 112 

Lougwortli's Prolific 95 

Lorenz Booth 107 

Lucas 107 

Lucida Perfecta 107 

Marguerite 107 

Mc'Avoy's Superior 96 

Mead's Seedling 96 

Metcalfs Early 96 

Monitor 97 

Monstrous Hautbois 112 

Musky Hautbois Ill 

Napoleon III 107 

Native Varieties 88 

Newark Prolific 93 

New Jersey Scarlet 97 

Newland 91 

Old John Browu 97 

One-Leaved Alpine Ill 

Oscar 108 

Perry's Seedlilig '. . 97 

Philadelphia 102 

Hrbe Apple 90 

Poitou Alpine Monthly 110 

Powdered Pine Ill 



Prince's Frederick William 108 

Prince's Seedling 101 

ProUnc Alpine 110 

Prolific Hautbois 112 

Pyramidal Chilian 91 

BegenVs Dwarf 112 

Ripawam 98 

Russell's Prolific . . 98 

Sabrenr 108 

Sacombe 112 

Scarlet Alpine 110 

Scarlet Magnate 99 

Scarlet Punner 99 

Scotch Rimner 99 

Scotch Runner 90 

Scott's Seedling 99 

Shaker 88 

Sir Joseph Banks 112 

Souvenir de Kieff. 108 

Starr's Seedling 103 

Stinger's Seedling 00 

TrenMy's Union 102 

Triomphe de Gand 108 

Topsy - .103 

Versailles Alpine Monthly 110 

Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury. . . .1C9 

Victoria 109 

Victory 103 

Ville de Bois 110 

Vineuse de Nantes 109 

Virginian 32 

Walker 103 

Ward's Favorite 103 

Washington 94 

White Pineapple 95 

TT7«'fe Wood Strawberry Ill 

Williams'' Green Pine Ill 

Wilson's Albany 99 

Wood 31-111 

Younrts Seedling 94 

Rejected Varieties 112 

Table of Distances 269 

Thimble Berry 115-141 

Vaccinium 246 

" Canadense 347 

" corymbosum 247 

" erythrocarpon 232 

" macrocarpon 231 

" Oxycoccus 231 

" Pennsylvanica 317 

Wire-Worms 85 



AMERICAN POMOLOGY. 
APPLES. 



By Doct. JOHJV A.. AVAUDEU, 

PRESIDENT OHIO POMOLOGICAL SOOIETT; VICE-PEESIDES'T AMEEICAN POMOLOGICAI, 

SOCIETY. 

S93 II.i:.USTKATaOI\S. 

Tins volume has about 750 pages, the first B75 of T\'liicli are de- 
voted to the discussion of the general subjects of propagation, nur- 
sery culture, selection and planting, cultivation of orchards, care of 
fruit, insects, and the like ; the remainder is occupied with descrip- 
tions of apples. With the richness of material at hand, the trouble 
■was to decide what to leave out. It will be found that while the 
old and standard varieties are not neglected, the new and promising 
sorts, especially those of the South and "West, have prominence. 
A list of selections for different localities by eminent orchardists is 
a valuable portion of the volume, while the Analytical Index or 
Catalogue Raisonne, as the French would say, is the most extended 
American fruit list ever published, and gives evidence of a fearful 
amount of labor. 

CONTENTS. 

Chapter I IIVTRODUCTORY. 

Chapter II HISTORY OP THE APPLE. 

Chapter III PROPAGATION. 

Buds and Cuttings— Grafting— Budding— The Nursery. 

Chapter rV— DWARFIIVG. 

Chapter V.— DISEASES. 

Chapter VI THE SITE FOR AN ORCHARD. 

Chapter VII PREPARATION OF SOIL FOR AN ORCHARD. 

Chapter VIII SELECTION AND PLANTING. 

Chapter IX — CULTURE, Etc. 

Chapter X PHILOSt)PHY OF PRUNING. 

Chapter XI.— THINNING. 

Chapter XII.-RIPENING AND PRESERVING FRUITS. 

Chapter XIII and XIV — INSECTS. 

Chapter XV.-CHARACTERS OF FRUITS AND THEIR 
VALUE— TERMS USED. 

Chapter XVI.— CLASiBfft'ICATION. 

Necessity for— Basis of— Characters— Sliape— Its Eegn- 
larity— Flavor— Color— Their severTil Values, etc.. De- 
scription of Apples. 

Chapter XVII.-FRUIT LISTS— CATALOGUE AND INDEX OF 
FRUITS. 

Sent Post-Paid. Price $3.00. 

ORANGE JUDD & CO., 41 PARK ROW, NEW-YORK. 



GARDENING FOR PROFIT, 

In the Market and Family G-arden 
Bt Petee Henderson. 

FIl^EL-Sr ILIjXTSTR.A.TEI>- 

This is the first work on Market Gardening ever published in this 
country. Its author is well known as a market gardener of eighteen 
years' successful experience. In this work he has recorded this 
experience, and given, without reservation, the methods necessary 
to the profitable culture of the commercial or 

It is a work for which there has long been a demand, and one 
which will commend itself, not only to those who grow vegetables 
for sale, but to the cultivator of the 

FAMILY GARDEN, 

to whom it presents methods quite different from the old ones gen- 
erally practiced. It is an original and purely American work, and 
not made up, as books on gardening too often are, by quotations 
from foreign authors. 

Every thing is made perfectly plain, and the subject treated in all 
its details, fi-om the selection of the soil to preparing the products 
for market. 

CONTENTS. 

Men fitted for the Business of Gardening. 

The Amount of Capital Required, and 

"Working i'orce per Acre. 

Profits of Market Gardening. 

Location, Situation, and Laying Out. 

Soils, Drainage, and Preparation. 

Manures, Implements. 

Uses and Management of Cold Frames. 

Formation and Management of Hot-bedB. 

Forcing Pits or Green-houses, 

Seeds and Seed Raising. 

How, When, and Where to Sow Seeds. 

Transplanting, Insects. 

Packing of Vegetables for Shipping. 

Preservation of Vegetables in Winter. 

Vegetables, their Varieties and Cultivation. 

In the last chapter, the most valuable kinds are described, and 
the culture proper to each is given in detail. 

Sent post-paid, price $1.50. 

ORANGE JUDD & CO., 41 Park Row, New-York. 



THE 






Wmk wmim 

BT 

ANDEEW S. FULLER. 



NEW AND ENLARGED EDITION. 



THE STANDARD WORK 

ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE HARDY GRAPE, 

AS IT NOT ONLY DISCUSSES PRINCIPLES, 

BUT 

ILLUSTRATES PRACTICE. 

Every thing is made perfectly plain, and. its teaoli- 
ings may lae fbllo^wed upon 

ONE VINE OR A VINEYARD 



The following are some of the topics that are treated : 

Growing New Vartjeties from Seed. 

Propagation by Single Buds or Eyes. 

Propagating Houses and their Management fully describh). 

How to Grow. 

Cuttings in Open Air, and how to Make Layers. 

Grafting the Grape — A Simple and Successful Method. 

Hybridizing and Crossing — Mode of Operation. 

Soil and Situation — Planting and Cultivation. 

Pruning, Training, and Trellises — all the Systems Exflainkd. 

Garden Culture — How to Grow Vines in a Door- Yard. 

Insects, Mildew, Sun-Scald, and other Troubles. 

Description of the Valuable and the Discarded Varieties. 



Sent post-paid. Price $1.50. 



Orange Judd &. Co., 4:1 Park Row. 



THE AMERICAN 

HORTICULTURAL ANNUAL 

For- 1 Se'T. 

A YEAR-BOOK FOR THE GARDENER, THE FRUIT 
GROWER, AND THE AMATEUR. 



This is the first of a series of Annuals intended to give a record of Ilorticultural 
progress. It contains among other articles : 

An Almanac and Calendar for each Month, giving hints for ■work. 
fJsefal Tables, giving amount of Seed to sow a given space ; number of Seeds to 
the ounce, etc. 

How Horseradisli is Grown for Market. By Peter Henderson. 

Growing Grape Vines from Cuttings witliout Artificial 
Heat. By William Patrick. 

Home Decorations, Ivr, IIanging Baskets, etc. Instructions for the making, 
planting, and management of these beautiful ornaments. By A. Bridgeman. 

The New Apples of 1866. The new varieties first brought to notice the 
past year. By Dr. J. A. Warder. 

New or Note-wortlsy Pears. A valuable article, by P. Barry. 

Native Grapes in 1866. From Notes furnished by Charles Downing, George 
W. Campbell, J. A. Warder, A. S. Fuller, and other grape growers. 

Small Fruits in 1866. Accounts of new varieties and older ones not yet 
fully tested. By A. S. Fuller. 

The Newer Garden Vegetables. The result of experiments with new 
culinary plants. By Fearing Burr, Jr., J. J. H. Gregory, and others. 

The Rarer Valuable Evergreens. By Thomas Meehan. 

The New Roses in 1866. Descriptions of the novelties. By John Saul. 

New Redding and other Plants of 1866. An account of how the 

recent importations have done the past year. By Peter Henderson. 
The NcTV Varieties of Gladiolus. By George Such. 
Engravings of Fruits, FloTvers, etc. List of those published in 1866. 

Horticultural Rooks and Periodicals in 1866. A list giving 
title, publisher's name, and price. 

Nurserymen, Seedsmen, and Florists. A list of the most prominent. 

A neat volume of 160 pages. Price, fancy paper covers, 50 cents ; cloth, 75 cent* 
Sent post-paid. 

JVEW-TOBK: 

OEANGE JUDD & CO., 41 Park Eow. 



THE AMERICAN 

AGRICULTURAL ANNUAL 

(Companion to the AMERICAN HOKTICIJLTTJKAL ANNUAL,) 

gi ^m-%tm gcrok Uv the inxmtw 

IT CONTAINS 

An Almanac and Hints about Work for each Month, 

WITH A RECORD OF 

RECENT PROGRESS IN AGRICULTURE, 

AND 

A Review of the Past Year, valuable contributed articles, 

and numerous convenient and useful Tables. 
All Essay on ©raining, by Col. Waring, Engineer of the Drainage 

of the New- York Central Park. By f;ir the most complete presentation 

of the subject which has been made for many years in this country. 
Some of the IVewest and Best Potatoes, with his own 

mode of culture, are described by William S. Carpenter. 
The Cnltwre of §org:hum is discussed by William Clough, 

Esq., Editor of the Sorgho Journal. 
How to Train the Horse, by Mr. S. F. Headley. 
The Culture of Yi''heat is discussed practically and philosophically 

by Mr. Harris. 
John Johnston's Practice in Fattening Sheep, like 

every thing from his ripe experience, is very valuable. 
Essential Features of a Good Barn, with Plan, by Dr. 

F. M. Hexamer. 
Recent Scientific Progress in Agriculture, by Professor 

S. W. Johnson, of Yale College. 
The above axe but a few of the articles comprised in this little 
volume, and which make it not only a RECORD OF PAST 
PROGRESS AND EXPERIENCE, but a HAND-BOOK FOR 
THE PRESENT and a GUIDE FOR THE FUTURE. 



Tills Tolame is tlie first of a Series to be issaed anuualJy. 



Price, in paper covers, 50 cents; cloth, 75 cents. 

Sent post-paid. 

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Brack's New Book of Flowers. 

BY JOSEPH BRECK, 

PRACTICAL HORTICULTURIST. 

BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED. 

This work, while preserving scientific accuracy, is written in a familiar 
style, and with the enthusiasm of a life-long lover of flowers. 

The lessons of a practical acquaintance with the subject are plainly 
given, and though the author is never dry, his teachings are full of 

PRACTICAL COMMON SENSE. 

ALL DEPABTMEUTS OF OUT-DOOR GABDENIMSTG 

are treated, and the work really condenses into one volume what is in 
many cases distributed through several treatises on Bulbs, Annuals, Roses, etc. 

Bull)S. The cultivation of bulbs, whether indoors or in the open 
ground, is clearly described, and such instructions are given as will insure 
success with these favorite plants. 

Annuals. All the finer annuals are described, and the peculiar 
treatment necessary for each given in full. 

Herbaceous Perennials, This justly favorite class of plants 
is given here more at length than in any work with which we are acquainted. 

Bedding Plants. The treatment of the popular kinds of bed- 
ding plants is given, together with that of Dahlias, Chrysanthemums, and 
such as usually fall under the head of florist's flowers. 

Fl0"\vering Shrubs. A separate section is devoted to the hardy 
flowering shrubs, including a very full chapter upon the Rose. 

"We have no work which is so safe a guide to the novice in gardening, 
or that imparts the necessary information in a style so free from techni- 
calities. Not the least interesting part of the work is the author's personal 
experience, as he tells not only how he succeeded, but the mistakes he 
committed. Thus far it is 

"THE BOOK OF FLOWERS." 

Sent post-paid. Price, $1.75. 

ORANGE JUDD & CO., 

4:1 Parh JRow, 



The Miniature Fruit Garden ; 

OK, 

THE CULTURE OF PYRAMIDAL AHD BUSH FRUIT TREES 

BY THOMAS RIVERS. 

ILLUSTRATED. 

Mr. Kiters is one of the oldest and best known of the English nursery- 
men and orchardists. The popularity that his work has attained in Eng- 
land is shown by the fact that our reprint is from the Thirteenth London 
Edition, This treatise is mainly devoted to 

Dwarf Apples and Pear§. 

Nothing is more gratifying than the cultivation of dwarf fruit trees, and 
this work tells how to do it successfully. These miniature trees are beauti- 
ful ornaments, besides being useful in giving abundant crops of fruit ; they 
can be grown in 

Small Gardens and City Yards, 

and be removed without injury, almost as readily as a piece of furniture. 
The work also gives the manner of training upon walls and trellises. 

Root Pruning 

is fully explained, and various methods of protection from frosts are given. 

D^varf Clierries and Plums 

are treated of as are other dwarf trees. Directions are also given for 
growing 

Figs and Filberts. 

While written for the climate of England, its suggestions are valuable 
everywhere, and no one who grows dwarf trees should be without this little 
work, in which is condensed the whole practice of the author, and which, 
like all his writings, bears the marks of long experience in the practice of 
fruit growing. 

SENT POST PAID. PKICE, $1. 

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COPELAND'S COUNTRY LIFE. 

A COEViPENDIUM 

OP 

Agricultural and Horticultural 

PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE. 

Beautifully Illustrated. 

It contains Descriptions, Hints, Suggestions, and Details of great value to 
every one interested in Fruit, Flowers, Vegetables, or Farm Crops. " It con- 
tains 926 large Octavo Pages, and 250 Engravings. Describing and Il- 
lustrating nearly the whole range of topics of interest to the FARMER, the 
GARDENER, the FRUIT CULTURIST, and the AMATEUR. 

It is adapted not only to those owning large and Elegant Estates, but con- 
tains directions for the best arrangement of the smallest Plots, down to the 
City Yard, the Roof or Window Garden, or the simple Flower Stand. It 
also gives an abstract of the Principles, Construction, and Management of 
Aquariums. Among numerous other matters it treats of 

Draining, Giving best methods, estimates of cost, trenches, tiles, etc., 
thus enabling almost any one properly to perform this important work. 

Cattle are carefully noticed with reference to the special merits of dif- 
ferent breeds for dairying or fattening. 

Sheep Management, including Breeding, Feeding, Prices, Profits, 

etc., receives attention, and a very full treatise on the Merinos is given. 

Orape Culture occupies a large space, embracing the opinions of 
men in all parts of the country, as to best sorts, planting, training, diseases, 
and general management for home use or marketing. 

Full L<ist§ of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, Fruits, Flowers, Green 
and Hot-house Plants, etc., are given, with directions for management each 
month in the year. 

Tlie Kitchen Garden receives particular attention, with refer- 
ence to the best way to grow and preserve each kind of Vegetable. 

In short, as its name indicates, the book treats of almost every subject that 
needs consideration by those living in the country, or having any thing to do 
with the cultivation of the soil. 

Seixt :F'ost-I='£vica.. • • I^xice, SS.OO. 

N E W-Y O R K : 

Oraiig-e Jiwicl «fc Co., 41 Parle Uotv. 



MY VINEYARD AT LAKEVIEW; 

OR, 

SUCCESSFUL GEAPE CULTURE. 

BY A WESTERN GRAPE GROWER. 

ILLUSTRATED. 

To any one who wishes to grow grapes, whether a single vine or a viiic- 
j'ard, this book is full of valuable teachings. The author gives not only his 
success, but, what is of quite as much importance, his failure. It tells just 
what the beginner in grape culture wishes to know, with the charm that 
always attends the relation of personal experience. 

It is especially valuable as giving an account of the processes actually 
followed in 

CELEBRATED GRAPE REGIONS 

in Western New-York and on the shores and islands of Lake Erie. 

This book is noticed by a writer in the Horticullurist for August last as 
follows : " Two works very different in character and value have just been 
published, and seem to demand a passing notice. The better and less pre- 
tentious of the two is ' My Vineyard at Lakeview,' a charming little book 
that professes to give the actual experience of a western grape grower, de- 
tailing not only his successes, but his blunders and failures. It is written 
in a pleasant style, without any attempt at display, and contains much ad- 
vice that will prove useful to a beginner — the more useful because derived 
from the experience of a man who had no leisure for fanciful experiments, 
but has been obliged to make his vineyard support himself and his family." 



Written in a simple and attractive style, and relating the experience of one who felt 
Ure way along into the successful cultivation of a vineyard in Ohio. — Mass. Ploughman. 

It is the experience of a jrractical grape grower, and not the theory of an experi- 
menter.— iJa^/i. Daily Sentinel and Times. 

It has no superior as an attractive narrative of country life. — Hartford Daily Post. 

Many books have been written on the grape, but this is the only work that gives an 
account of grape growing as actually practiced at the successful vineyards in the grape 
region of the West, and will be welcomed by a large class of readers. — New-Bedford 
Standard. 

This little volume contains, in an attractive form, and in clear and concise language, 
just the information needed to enable any one to become thorouglily posted up in this 
delightful and profitable branch of horticulture. — Vermont Farmer. 

Just the manual for a beginner, by one who says "he is well rewarded in the success 
attained." Adding, "It miglit have been reached in half the time, had I possessed thi 
knowledge imparted to the reader of this book." — Boston Cultivator. 

Sent Post-paid, Frice, $1.25. 
ORANGE JUDD &. CO., 41 Park Row, New-York. 



A 



=^0 

Downing's Landscape Gardening and Rural 
ArcMtectnre. 

Price, $6.50. 

The most complete and valuable work ever issued on Landscape Gardening In 
North-America, for the Improvement of Country Kesidences ; containing full Direc- 
tions for every tiling connected with Laying out and adorning the IJural Home, the 
Grounds, tlie Gardens, the Buildings, tlie Trees and Plants, etc., with principles of 
taste so stated as to adapt the work to all classes. Splendidly Illustrated with many 
Steel and line Wood Engravings. By the late A. J. Downing. New Kdition, En- 
larged, Newly Illustrated and Hevised, with Supplement, by Hknky Wintheop Sab- 
OKNT. Octavo, Sai pp. Extra clotli, gilt, beveled boards. 

This Edition contains a Splendid neio portrait on Steel, of Mr. DowNraa. 

Herbert's Hints to Horse-Keepers, - - - (-ZVcm? Edition.) 

Price, $1.75, 

Tills Is the best practical work on the Horse, prepared m this country. A Complktk 
Manual for Horsemkn, embracing: How to Breed a Horse; How to Buy a Horse; 
How to Break a Horse; How to Use a Horse; How to Feed a Horse; How to Physic a 
Horse (Allopatliy or Horaoeop.itliy) ; How to Groom a Horse ; How to Drive a Horse; 
How to Ride a Horse, etc., and Chapters on Mules and Ponies, etc. By tlie late 
Hknry William Hkrdkkt (Frank Forrester). Beautifully Illustrated throughout. 
Cloth, 12mo., 425 pp. 

BEES. 

Quiiiby's Mysteries of Bee-Keeping Explained. 

Price, $1.50. 

NeiBly written throughout, containing the results of thirty-five years of successful 
experience, wiihfull, plain, and practical Directions for all details of Bee Culture; 
Including also a Description and Manner of Using tlie Movable Comb and Box Hives, 
with the most approved modes of Propagating and Treating the Italian Bee, etc., etc.. 
with numerous Illustrations. By M. Quinbt, Practical Bee-Keeper. 



NEW-YORK : 

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A Good, Cheap, and very Valuable Paper for 
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INCITY, VILLAGE and COUNTRY, 

, THE 

AMERICAI AGRICULTURIST, 

FOR THE 

FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD, 

Including a Special Department of Interesting and 

Instructive Reading for CHILDREN and YOUTH. 

The Ar/riciiHicrist is a large periodical of Tliii'ty-tico pagea, quarto, not octavo 
beautifully printed, and filled with plait), practical, reliable, original matter, includ- 
Ins hundreds of beautiful and instructive Engravings in every annual volume. 

It contains each month a Calendar of "Operations to be performed on the Farm, 
fn the Orchard and Garden, in and around the D^velling, etc. 

The thousands of hints and suggestions given in every volume are prepared by prac- 
tical, intelliftent working nten, who know what they talt and write about. The 
artacles are thoroughly edited, and every way reliable. 

The Household Department is valuable to every Housekeeper, affording 
very many useful hints and directions calculated to lighten and facilitate in-door work. 

The Department for Children and Yonth, is prepared with special care 
not only to amuse, but also to inculcate knowledge and sound moral principles. 

Terms.— The circulation of the American Agticulturist, (more than 100,000) is bo 
large that it can be furnished at the low price of $1.50 a year ; four copies, one year, for 
$5; ten copies, one year, for $13; twenty or more copies, one year. %\ each; single 
copies, 15 cents each. An extra copy to the one furnishing a club of ten or twenty. 

TI?.^^ IT A. YEAIi. 

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No. 41 Park Row, New-York City. 



JL.IST OF 



EUEAL BOOKS 

PUBLISHED AND FOR SALE BT 

ORANGE JUDD & CO., 



U^^ Any Book on this List will be forwarded, post-paid, to 
any address in the United States, (except those Territories reached 
by the Overland California Mail only,) on receipt of the price. 



Allen's (L. F.) Rural Architecture,. 
Allen's (U. L.) American Farm Book,. 
Allen's (R. L.) Diseases of Domestic 

Animals, 

American Agricultural Annual, paper, 

" " " clotb, 

American Horticultural Annual, paper, 

" " cloth, 

American Bird Fancier, 

American Hose Culturist, 

American Weeds and Useful rianfs,. . 

Bement's Rabbit Fancier, 

Bomraer's Method of Making Manures, 
Boussingault's Rural Economy,. .... 

Breck's New Book of Flowers, 

Buist's Flower Garden Directory, 

Buist's Family Kitchen Gardener, 

Chorlton's Grape Grower's Guide, 

Cobbett's American Gardener, 

Cole's (S. W.) American Fruit Book,.. 

Cole's Veterinarian, 

Copeland's Country Life, 8vo, cloth,. . 
Cotton-Planter's Manual, (Turner,)... 
Dadd's (G. II.,) Modern Horse Doctor, 

Dadd's American Cattle Doctor, 

Dana's Muck Manual, 

Dog and Gun, (Hooper's,) paper, 

" " cloth, 

Downing's Landscape Gardening, 

Eastwood on Cranberry, 

Elliott's Western Fruit Grower's Guide, 

Flax Culture, 

French's Farm Drainage, 

Field's (Thos. W.) Pear Culture,... 

Fuller's Grape Culturist, 

Fuller's Strawberry Culturist, 

Guenon on Milch Cows, 

Henderson's Gardening for Profit, . 



$1 50 


1 50 


1 00 


, 50 


75 


, 50 


75 


30 


80 


1 75 


SO 


25 


1 GO 


1 75 


1 50 


1 00 


75 


75 


75 


75 


5 00 


1 CO 


1 50 


1 50 


1 25 


30 


CO 


6 50 


75 


,1 50 


50 


1 50 


1 25 


1 50 


20 


75 


1 50 



Herbert's Hints to Horse-Keepers, $1 75 

Hop Culture, 40 

Johnston's Agricultural Chemistrj',.. . 1 75 
Johnston's Elements of Agricultural 

Chemistry, 1 50 

Leuchar's How to Build Ilot-IIouses, . 1 50 

Miles on the Horse's Foot, 75 

My Vinej-ard at Lakeview, New, 1 25 

Norton's Scientific Agriculture, 75 

Onion Culture, 20 

Our Farm of Four Acres, paper, SO 

" " " cloth, GO 

Pardee on Strawberry Culture, 75 

Peat and its Uses, New, 1 25 

Pedder's Land Measurer, CO 

Quinby's Mysteries of Bee-Kecping, . . 1 50 

Rural Annual, (Harris,) 25 

Rural Annual, (Harris,) S Nos. bound, 

2 vols, each, 1 50 

Randall's Sheep Husbandry, 1 50 

Randall's Fine Wool Sheep Ilusliandry, 1 00 
Richardson on the Dog, paper, 80 

" " cloth, 60 

River's Miniature Fruit Garden, New, 1 00 
Saunders's Domestic Poultry, New, 

paper, 40 cents ; cloth, 75 

Schenck's Gardener's Text Book, 75 

Skillful Housewife, 75 

Stewart's (John) Stable Book, 1 50 

Thompson's Food of Animals, 1 00 

Tobacco Culture, " 25 

Todd's (S. E.) Young Farmer's Manual, 1 50 

Warder's Hedges and Evergreens, 1 50 

Youatt and Spooner on the Horse, 1 50 

Youatt and Martin on Cattle, 1 60 

Y'ouatt nn the Hog, 1 00 

Y'ouatt on Sheep, 1 00 



